Summary: Au. Snowbarry. Rendition to the actual film About Time…a rendition of sorts. At the age of twenty-one Barry Allen had been made aware of a family secret and his world was turned upside down.

A/N: Disappearing acts are not my specialty...life happens and well I'm back. I'll try my best to hold myself accountable to updating "From Me to You" and finishing up this short 2-3 chapter fic. Enjoy and thank you for reading :)

Standard disclaimer applied.


About Time

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of the situation.

He chose the former.

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Barry shook his head staring at his father, who only stared back at him with a somber expression. Today he had turned twenty-one, a small group of friends and family had gathered for the celebration, who were currently downstairs filling their stomachs with food and drinks. His first love, Iris West, was downstairs with her father, Joe, and her brother, Wally. He had planned it all out, tonight was the night where he would finally confess, but instead of moving towards executing the rest of his plan here he was receiving a confession of a lifetime from his own father.

"…Wait, wait, so, you're saying I can time travel?" Even as the words tumbled out of his mouth, the ludicrous statement made him feel like he was in the twilight zone. Was his father for real?

"Not exactly time travel, more like travel to the past." Henry explained briefly watching his son for a reaction.

"And you're saying only the males in the family have this…gift?"

Henry nodded, "Yes, that's correct. I know it sounds ridiculous- "

"Damn right, it sounds ridiculous dad," Barry stood, hands roughly combing through his hair as he tried to make sense of what had spewed from his father's lips. "How can you prove it?"

Henry blinked at his son's confused expression; his heart went out for Barry, but it was time for him to know the truth. Fortunately, with plenty of time and useful information, Barry had been blessed unlike him, whose father had abandoned him and never told him about their abilities.

"Anywhere dark will do, fist your hands in a tight grip and close your eyes. Flit through your memories of the past and chose where you'd want to go back to."

Barry nodded walking towards the entrance of his father's study, "I warn you son," his green eyes turned to look in his father's direction "any small action can create a bigger reaction—history can change. Be careful."

He walked out of the study, shutting the door behind him. His eyes glancing wearily at the hallway closet just a few feet away. Was he really going to do it? Did he really believe his old man?

Was there anything he'd like to change? Barry scoffed, sure he would have liked to change a few things about his past preferably an earlier incident with Iris that involved him being a total klutz and staining her shirt with wine and making a fool out of himself.

Huffing out a small laugh, he marched towards the closet and sealed himself inside. He did as his father had instructed and closed his eyes. A strange feeling of vertigo filled his senses as a rush of adrenaline entered his veins. Barry found himself in the same hallway closet, the soft sounds of music echoing outside. Did it work? Just as he was about to mentally berate himself for believing anything, his ears picked up the echoing melodies of the song. His eyes widened in realization; it was the song his mother had decided to play before the guests had started arriving.

Barry rushed out, making his way downstairs as the doorbell rang for a second time. A wide smile made its way to his lips as he greeted Iris and her family. It was time for a do over.

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It wasn't long after his twenty first birthday that he had moved out of his parent's home and to his own apartment closer to the metropolitan area. His attempt at a confession was a success, but with a wistful smile Barry had concluded that Iris had not felt the same by the way she kept avoiding eye-contact and apologizing after.

Was he running away? Maybe. But the incentive for the move had been his new job with the CCPD as a forensics scientist. His parents had both been very proud of his accomplishment with him being one of the youngest in his field. He was excited and thrilled at the prospect of helping bring in criminals with his expertise.

But then…there was that linger feeling in his chest in hopes of finding someone he could share his life with too.

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It was mid-October, and the nights were chilly, Barry lamented as he shuffled alongside his friend, Oliver Queen, who had dragged him out of his lab and who was currently taking him who-knows-where. A whole year had passed since his move to Central City, he wondered briefly how he and Oliver even got along sometimes. Oliver Queen was a well-known billionaire and the executive of Queen Enterprise in Star City. They met when his forensic judgement had been called in for a break-in on one of his many branch offices. They had worked well together, although Oliver looked like a well-off bastard who took pleasure at being every woman's living-breathing fantasy-he was intelligent, reserved, and loyal to Star City's citizens.

"Where are we going again?" Barry asked for the umpteenth time.

Oliver stopped walking and turned towards his friend, "We're here Barry, no need to get paranoid." Barry zeroed in on the restaurant's name Dans le Noir, before following in after Oliver.

"Good evening gentlemen," the hostess' heavy French accent displayed in her greeting "please follow along, placing a hand on the shoulder to prevent harm. It is quite dark in there. Enjoy, the ladies await."

Before Barry could question his friend about bringing him to a blind date, quite literally, his hand was placed on Oliver's shoulder and he was dragged into pitch darkness. He bumped into a table; a slight hiss escaping his lips as he apologized for startling its occupants. His grip on his friend's shoulder tightened just a fraction.

"Really Ollie? Why man?" he asked through clenched teeth. He felt slightly betrayed. After breaking up with Patty a month ago, their relationship still fresh in his mind. He had attempted all means of trying to go to the past to change the outcome, but nothing had worked. Just like Iris…it had failed. She ended up leaving Central City. She ended up leaving him…although she had seemed perfect for him.

Oliver's voice cut through his morose thoughts, "Because life's too short Barry, lighten up."

Just as he was about retort, he was unceremoniously plopped down in his chair. Barry felt his friend sitting beside him already starting his conversation with the girl sitting across him. Smooth bastard, Barry thought begrudgingly, when a small soft curious voice startled him.

"Hello?"

Barry licked his lips before responding "Hi, my name's Barry Allen nice to meet you." He extended his hand out of habit, his hand grazing the side of her face. He did not know they were that close!

"…!" she gasped in the dark.

"Shit! I'm sorry!" Barry apologized for once thanking whatever deity was out there that the lights were off because he was making a big fool of himself "It was an accident and it's a habit—but I am sorry!"

A giggle full of mirth reached his ears.

"It's okay Barry, I understand" he felt a small hand reaching out for his own on the table, properly shaking his appendage "nice to meet you too, I'm Caitlin Snow."

They immersed themselves on everyday topics and hobbies until she had charted to one of her favorite Physicist, Dr. Harrison Wells. Barry had been impressed that someone other than himself was also a fan of his work. The more she spoke, the more he found himself intrigued by who Caitlin was. And as they enjoyed their desert, he realized the end to his wonderful night was about to end.

"Tonight, was great." She murmured shyly as their plates were taken away.

Barry smiled, "Yes it was."

As Oliver and him were shuffled outside, they waited for the ladies to join them. A shoulder knocked into his, startling him out of his thoughts. He frowned questioningly at his friend.

"You regret the outing?"

Barry rolled his eyes at Oliver's knowing gaze.

And just as he was about respond, a blonde woman stepped out of the restaurant. She spotted them and smiled brightly at Oliver before launching herself into his arms. Barry eyes widened as they shared a brief kiss before turning to face him.

"Felicity Smoak meet Barry Allen," Oliver nodded in his direction "Barry meet Felicity my fiancé." Barry was sure his mouth was hanging open. The jerk already had a fiancé then why the hell did he bring him here? Just as he was about to interrogate his friend Felicity intervened.

"This was my idea…sort of." She smiled sheepishly. "I thought that you'd be perfect for my friend Caitlin and I had Oliver drag you over to set up this blind date. Please don't hate him too much."

Barry sighed, his hand coming up to massage the bride of his nose "I don't hate Oliver much," said friend rolled his eyes "besides I really enjoyed myself tonight."

And he wasn't lying.

Caitlin Snow sounded like an amazing person.

An excited squeal slipped from Oliver's fiancé at his admission, Barry watched on with an amused smile as Oliver took hold of Felicity's elbow directing her towards the main street in search of their parked vehicle. Barry shook his head as Felicity grumbled about wanting to stay with her friends as she was being reluctantly dragged away by her fiancé.

"Barry?"

His eyes locked with a pair of brown eyes.

He felt his breath catch at the sight of the woman standing before him, she seemed a bit unsure of herself, as if wondering if she was speaking to right person. His viridian gaze took in the long chocolate strands cascading down her shoulders in soft curls, the olive toned dress hugging her figure underneath a black suede blazer and a pair of black strappy heels wrapped around her delicate ankles.

She was beautiful.

"Caitlin?"

A soft shy smile made its way to her lips before stepping closer. He noticed her teeth digging into her bottom lip and he wondered if her lips felt as soft as they looked.

Her brown eyes glanced up at him again.

"Can I have your number?" her eyes widen a bit as if caught off guard. But nevertheless, she reached into her purse and took out her cell. A light conversation started again, unbeknownst, they started walking aimlessly side by side.

It was incredible, Barry thought, how a night with the woman walking next to him made him feel captivated by her intelligence, her beauty, her big brown eyes, and her laughter. He didn't want this night to end.

But it seemed like fate was against him.

Too soon it seemed they had made it to her car.

Caitlin worried her lip as they stood next to her parked vehicle. She wondered if he was going to kiss her, was that moving too fast? She didn't think so, Barry was an attractive man who seemed kind, intelligent, and had loads of stuff in common with her. She would remember to thank her friend, Felicity, for making her come to the blind date.

"Can I see you again?"

She blinked out of her stupor taking note of Barry's nervous smile. Her heart warmed at the sight. Didn't he know he was handsome? She smiled up at him again before grasping the little confidence she had left and kissed him.

Barry stared at her closed eyelids, frozen in place for a millisecond before he reciprocated her kiss. He slanted his lips over hers just so, his tongue sliding across her bottom lip prodding her lips open as he deepened the kiss. He felt her hands smooth along his nape tugging him closer, a soft moan echoed inside his mouth as her back landed against her vehicle. His hands kneaded her waist as he continued devouring her mouth, it was as if he was a starved man on a deserted island filled with delicious delicacies. But too soon the need to breathe was evident and they were left catching their breathes as they continued leaning against each other.

"Wow…" She whispered, her breath fanning against his lips.

Barry smirked, lazily staring at the soft full lips in front of him. He felt her shuddering against him, her forehead against his. And before he knew what he was doing, he was kissing her again.

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He walked into the CCPD early the next day, a big goofy smile plastered on his face. Captain Singh could blow a fuse at his tardiness and Barry would take it in like a breeze. He made his way towards the elevator, taking out his phone and noticing it was dead and without battery. Did it die on him last night?

As the elevator doors dinged, he strode into his lab plugging his phone into the loose cord connected to his desktop. Checking his fax for lab requests on pending case files or new samples from crime scenes, Barry heard the first resounding ding of a notification followed by several others in succession. With an arched eyebrow he walked back to his desk and picked up the phone only to have his eyes widened.

27 missed calls!?

Iris had called him twenty-seven times. Panic sprung forth from his gut crawling up his esophagus, he waited for the ringing to end and it did only to hear a hoarse voice pick up.

"Barry?"

"Iris, what's wrong?"

After trying and failing to understand her fully over the phone, he headed straight to Central City General Hospital. He rushed in asking for Joe West's room, on his way over Captain Singh had explained that both Joe and Eddie had gotten injured at a robbery last night. Joe had taken a shot to the back. Barry picked up his pace and reached his destination, ripping the door open he moved forward only to have his arms filled with Iris.

He tightened his hold on her as his eyes landed on Joe's bedridden form laying just a few feet away. He heard the door creak open, alerting them of company, only to meet Joe's partner, Eddie, walking in with a slight limp in his step and a sling on his left arm.

Iris slowly detached herself from him, his arms suddenly cold. Barry shook his head and focused on the blonde-haired man standing in front of them.

"What happened out there?" he asked interrupting the silent fleeting looks Iris and Eddie were throwing at each other.

"We were played and I—Joe took a shot that was supposed to be meant for me!" Eddie gritted his teeth in frustration.

"What time was the robbery occurring? Where? And what exactly happened?"

Both Eddie and Iris shot him weird looks. Why was he asking these questions? And in detail? He was going to go back in time and change the outcome, so that Joe wouldn't have to be bedridden and possibly paralyzed, and Iris wouldn't have to suffer watching her father try to piece himself together. So, he asked his questions and excused himself, leaving a very confused and hurt Iris behind.

He would fix this.

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Barry ran out of the hospital taking a quick note of the time as he signaled for a cab. It was just about to be half past 7 when Joe and Eddie had received the call. On his way across town, he tried calling Joe only to have his calls rejected and switched directly over to voicemail. Barry cursed, asking the cab driver to speed up.

Rounding a corner, he paid for the cab fare and got off.

He ran.

And minutes later an echoing ring of shots being fired resonated a block away.

He hoped he made it in time.

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The sharp pain shooting up his shoulder reminded him about how close he had been to being late. He had tackled the unsuspecting accomplice, as he entered through the backdoor cautiously. From what Eddie had informed him, they were made to believe there was only one suspect at the scene of the crime when they were unexpectedly caught in a crossfire with the two criminals. And now here he was trying to work against those odds.

Barry wrestled with the culprit, managing to shove the gun away from his hands only to have a fist land on his face. And a few minutes later a knife embedded in his shoulder.

Eddie had managed to make his way over shoving the perpetrator off of him and handcuffing him.

Both criminals were caught and taken into custody.

There was a knock on the ambulance door and then there was Joe sitting across him and looking at him with something akin to pride.

"Thanks for saving us back there Barr," Joe smiled a wobbly smile "…we would've been in trouble back there."

Barry waved off his thanks "we're like family Joe—we have each other's backs."

Joe nodded briefly sending him a curious glance "how did you know where we were?"

Barry straightened himself unconsciously only further inflicting pain in his wrapped shoulder as a slight hiss left his lips. He cursed, trying to think of an excuse for tonight. He wasn't even supposed to be there because Oliver-Caitlin?!

"Fuck!"

Joe's eyebrow rose at the explicit word, watching as Barry fumbled with his phone. Why the hell did he forget? How could he forget? Barry quickly shuffled out of the ambulance ignoring Joe's concerned call as he once again started running.

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He arrived at Dans le Noir, staggering, sweaty, and out of breath. He had asked the hostess if Caitlin Snow and Felicity Smoak had been there. It was as if the hostess had taken pity on him and responded with the affirmative, letting him know that they had only stayed for half an hour and left with Mr. Queen.

He walked out of the restaurant defeated.

He had royally screwed up, looking at his phone he read a couple of texts from Oliver. How was he supposed to see Caitlin again? He couldn't call Oliver and ask him for Caitlin's information, could he? How the hell would he explain how he knew her? He racked his brain for any clear ideas when he remembered their shared interest in Dr. Harrison Wells.

Dr. Wells had a conference coming up in two weeks if he remembered correctly.

He would meet her again.