EXPEDITE ▇▇▇▇ VOLUME ONE
━━ ❛ 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 ❜

chapter no. 025!

     EXPEDITE FOR WALLY. The three words carved into the wall of Wally West's new bedroom in the West household. The three words that had everybody in lockdown mode. The three words that had set Piper on edge, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the top of the chair in front of her.

     Glancing up, Barry watched as the redhead stood motionless, her eyes dark and heavy.

     "What if we could stop Zoom through a vibe somehow?" Cisco suddenly perked up, his gaze moving from the carpet to Harry, who was leaning against the fireplace. "We could weaponize the goggles—"

     "Not enough time to weaponize, Ramon." Harry snapped, glowering at him out of frustration.

     Caitlin looked between the two and sighed. "Okay, what if we modify the pulse rifle to emit a low-level EMF?" she suggested.

     Everyone was going through different ideas on how to get Wally West back. So far, there hadn't been one successful idea that didn't involve Piper giving herself over to Zoom. The team was meeting a dead end, and they could all feel it. Their options were limited and timed.

     As the others spoke, Barry knew what she was thinking, keeping his eyes on the purple speedster. His eyes widened as the realization dawned on him, and he breathed in deeply, holding himself back from saying anything.

     She was going to do it.

     She was going to hand herself over.

     "We don't have the equipment to modify the pulse rifles, Snow." Harry snapped again, rubbing his temples in frustration. Caitlin looked away from the two and to Iris and Joe, standing together in a corner, arms wrapped around the other.

     "Then we do another snatch-and-grab mission." Cisco reasoned.

     "By the time we scaled those cliffs, Zoom could already—"

     "I need a minute," Joe spoke loudly, looking at Harry and the others. His cheeks were slightly puffy, and his eyes were bloodshot from the stress and tears.

     Everybody quickly shut their mouths and watched as the detective handed Iris his coffee mug before treading upstairs. Erin frowned deeply from her spot next to Cisco on the couch and looked down at her hands. Piper pushed down the lump in her throat as she watched Joe disappear from view. She briefly made eye contact with Barry before looking back down at the table.

     The house was deathly silent as nobody dared to utter a word. The conditions in which Zoom had placed the team were costly and conflicting. On one hand, if the redhead didn't hand herself over, Wally could die. On the other, they would get Wally back safe and alive if she did, but they would also lose her in the process. This was the hardest decision they'd ever faced. If they lost Piper, there was no guarantee that they would ever get her back.

     Squeezing her eyes shut, the purple speedster let go of the chair and breathed in slowly before reopening her eyes. Keeping her head down, Piper made her way toward the staircase. The rest of the team watched as she disappeared up the stairs, her footsteps fading.

     Tucking her hair behind her ears, the redhead knocked softly on Wally's bedroom door before poking her head in. Joe was sitting on the bed, his head resting in his hands.

     He glanced up and sniffed at the sound of her delicate knock, his glassy eyes meeting her own. The detective gave her a weak smile and looked back down at his lap. "Piper, I know that you can't give yourself up to that monster, but I also know that I want my son back, and I don't know what to do," Joe whispered.

     Making her way over to the desk chair, Piper sat down silently. Playing with her hands, she whispered, "I do." Immediately, he shook his head, looking up to meet her eyes. "Joe, Wally's your son. He's a part of your family. He's your kid. I don't know him as well as you and Iris do, but I know I will do anything I can to keep him safe, just as I will do anything to keep any of you safe. I've lost so many people I love to heartless, selfish monsters that don't care about the families they're tearing apart. I'm not going to let you lose someone you love to Zoom. Especially your own son." Piper spoke softly, watching as the detective ran his hands over his face.

     Blinking back tears, he shook his head again. "No, I can't— no, I can't allow you to do that. I won't. You're part of this family, too, just like everyone else. I can't lose you. None of us can." Joe replied stubbornly.

     "I'm not asking for permission to do this. I am doing this." Piper stated, brushing away a fallen tear of her own. "We're going to get Wally back home safe and sound. I promise." Standing up from the chair, she placed her hand on the detective's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze before walking back downstairs.

     As she took her last step off the staircase, everyone's eyes turned to her. Nobody dared to be the first to break the tense silence. Gathering the courage to speak, she gulped. "I'm going to hand myself over to Zoom," she announced, watching as the cup Erin was holding fell to the ground. Glass scattered in every direction, and the coffee seeped through the wooden floors.

     "I think the fuck not. Have you lost your damn mind?" Erin asked, livid.

     Iris glanced at her girlfriend and then back to Piper. "I agree with Erin, are you serious? My father will never allow—"

     "It's not his decision to make." Piper cut her off. Iris closed her mouth, stumped because she knew she was right. This wasn't anyone's decision but her own. She had to make it by herself.

     Harry stepped away from the fireplace, his head shaking as he held out his hand. "Lita, I don't care if it's not our decision to make. None of us can let you give yourself up to Zoom. It's too dangerous and risky. You're the only chance we have of taking him down for good. For Heaven's sake, you're the fastest speedster alive."

     "I can't believe I'm saying these words," the long-haired boy began, looking to the woman, "but I agree with Harry. Without you, our chances of stopping him are slim. He's way too overpowered. Besides, you're my best friend, and as your best friend, I don't agree with this. You're smart and got the goods, but this is probably the stupidest decision you've ever made. And you rarely make a stupid decision. That's Barry's job. You're our family. We can't lose you. I can't lose you." Cisco said, ignoring the scowl that Barry shot his way.

     Caitlin and Jesse nodded in agreement. "I know it's not our decision, and I know we can't make you do anything, but please consider our words. This is all solely up to you, so please, be careful. I don't want to see you hurt again. You're still recovering from injuries." Caitlin spoke softly, being the only reasonable and relatively supportive person in the house.

     Sighing, Piper rubbed her temple with her right middle and index finger, closing her eyes for a split second. "Look, I hear all of you. I understand where you're coming from and why you don't want me to do this. I do, but this is the only way we can get Wally back safely, and if handing myself over means that you," she looked to Iris, "can get your brother back safely, I'll do it. Without a second thought. I've made up my mind, so don't try to change it."

     Erin brought the palm of her hand to her forehead. "I hate you," she grumbled.

     Barry stepped forward, opening his mouth to speak, but Piper stopped him. "Barry, I already know what you're going to say. So just don't. Please," she pleaded quietly, her voice strained. Pressing his lips together tightly, he nodded. "I'll meet you guys at S.T.A.R. Labs." Leaving the conversation at that, she sped out of the house.

     Before anyone had a chance to protest, Barry sped after her. Racing down the city streets, he made it to S.T.A.R. Labs and ran inside.

     Piper was about to put on the eyepiece to her suit when Barry entered the Cortex, papers flying everywhere. Lowering the fabric in her hands, she tucked it back into the pocket of her suit.

     "Barry—"

     "You're my greatest weakness," he spoke, his words cutting her off completely. Closing her mouth, Piper stared at him with slightly wide eyes, brows raised. "Zoom was right when he said that if he took you, my world would end. If he harmed you, I would be on the verge of wanting to kill him. If he did anything to you, it would destroy me. He was right. You, Piper Lita, are my greatest weakness."

     Is he for real? Is this real?

     The purple speedster stood stock-still as she watched the brown-haired man walk towards her.

     "I can't lose you," he whispered, bringing his hand up to her cheek. Piper's eyes watered at his words, and she glanced away for a second, trying to keep herself together.

     His words were a stab to the heart because she knew how badly he didn't want this to happen. She knew it would not only break him but break her as well. The redhead couldn't stand the idea of being with Zoom and not Barry. That was the definition of pure torture in her book, but if it could save someone's life, then so be it.

     "If you hand yourself over to Zoom... What if we never get you back? What if I never see you again? What if—" Piper placed her hand over Barry's mouth, silencing him.

     "I will always come home to you, Barry Allen," she whispered, lowering her hand and placing it on his chest. "Remember how you went to Earth-Two, and I was pissed at you for leaving? I wasn't just mad at you; I was terrified at the thought of losing you to another world or Zoom. I was scared that I would never see you again. So, I got you to promise that you would return to me. Do you remember what you said?" she asked, stepping forward.

     Barry nodded. "I'll always come back to you."

     Piper smiled softly at the words. "And now I'm promising you the same thing. I will always come back to you. This Earth, you— you are my home," she whispered, her words causing his cheeks to turn pink.

     The sound of multiple footsteps entered the room, and the two speedsters separated, looking to see the rest of the team piling in. "Lita, don't do this. This is a mistake. We can find another way to rescue Wally." Harry spoke reasonably, walking towards her.

     "I've made up my mind," Piper replied, and the scientist turned to the man next to her.

     "And you're okay with this?" he asked, raising a brow.

     Barry nodded, glancing at her. "It's the only way, and we'll get her back. Zoom isn't keeping her." Sighing, Harry grumbled unhappily to himself.

     Cisco grabbed Hunter's helmet from the desk in the corner of the room and walked up to the purple speedster who was slipping on her eyepiece. Meeting her chocolate-brown eyes with his heavy dark ones, he gulped. "Piper, are you sure?" Cisco whispered weakly.

     She nodded. "I'm sure."

     "I mean, we don't even know if he'll be able to hear me," he stalled, glancing at Barry.

     "He'll hear you," Piper responded, giving him a small nod of encouragement, and he put on his goggles. Everyone watched as the long-haired boy closed his eyes, both of his hands clasped to the silver-plated helmet. It was silent in the room as Erin glanced at Joe, the two of them sharing equally confused looks.

     Biting down on her bottom lip, the redhead held her breath as she waited for something to happen.

     "I see him." Cisco finally spoke, his shoulders slouching. "Wally's alive."

     Exhaling deeply, Joe pulled Iris into his side, holding onto her tightly. "Thank God."

     Piper glanced away from the two and back to Cisco. "Do you see Zoloman?" she questioned, raising a brow.

     It took a minute before the long-haired boy answered. "I see him. He can sense me. Hunter?" Cisco paused, his grip on the helmet tightening. "She'll do it. Piper will hand herself over." Then, he pulled off the goggles.

     "It shouldn't be long before he's here. Caitlin, Cisco, Jesse, and Erin stay behind me. Whenever he shows up, do not speak to him. Any of you. Is that clear?" Harry asked, strapping on his bazooka. The four nodded, moving to stand near the left side room. Cisco threw the helmet and goggles to the side, ensuring the other three were ready.

     Detective West pulled out a gun and handed it to Iris, giving her a nod of confirmation that she could fire if need be. Pulling out a gun of his own, he readied himself.

     Streaks of a luminous blue filled the room, and Caitlin gasped as Zoom and Wally appeared. Harry, Joe, and Iris held up their guns quickly, and Barry grabbed onto Piper's hand, dread pulsating through his veins.

     "Dad?" Wally choked out, his eye wide as he saw Flash, Expedite, and everyone else around him holding guns.

     "Wally, hold on. Let him go." Joe ordered, the end of his gun pointed directly at the masked villain.

     Ignoring the detective, Zoom turned his head slowly to Piper, who was hand-in-hand with the scarlet speedster. "We had a deal."

     The woman let go of Barry's hand and walked forward. Stopping in front of him, she titled her head up. "My life for Wally's. Hand him over, and I'm yours."

     Wally stopped struggling in his captor's arms as he stared at one of Central City's superheroes with wide eyes. Shaking his head, he looked at his father and Iris, both of whom still held their guns high.

     Appearing satisfied with Expedite's words, Zoom let go of Wally and pushed him away. "You okay?" Joe asked quickly, grabbing his son by the arms and looking over him in concern. Wally nodded, gazing back to the speedster that'd just sold her soul to the Devil for him. "You need to get out of here now. Go fast. Cisco!" Joe called, and the long-haired boy rushed over, gesturing for Wally to follow him.

     Watching the two leave, Zoom turned his gaze back to the remaining few. "I hope you've said your goodbyes."

     "She doesn't have to. We're going to get her back." Barry answered, glaring.

     Zoom growled at his words, shaking his head. "Not where's she going, you won't." He grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her neck and torso tightly, keeping her in place. Turning her gaze to the team, Piper bit down on her lip, her eyes watering as she stared at all of them.

     "You're a monster," Caitlin suddenly whispered, her eyes blurred with hot tears as she stared at him. "You're nothing but a monster."

     Feeling the hold he had around her tighten, Piper winced. Growling, he sped forward and latched onto Caitlin as well, racing out of S.T.A.R. Labs.

     "Caitlin!"

────

𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘙𝘈𝘓 𝘊𝘐𝘛𝘠, 𝘌𝘈𝘙𝘛𝘏-𝘛𝘞𝘖

     THE ABANDONED TRAIN STATION WAS STILL. Shadows of fingers danced on the walls in orange and dusty brown hues, illuminating the room. About thirty feet from the glass cells that once held Barry Allen, Jesse Quick, Piper Lita, and Jay Garrick sat a terrified, yet annoyed, brunette on a small bed. Across from the bed, Hunter was perched on a chair, his eyes on the woman, watching as she stared bitterly at the food in front of her.

     "You need to eat," Hunter spoke softly, noticing how she winced at the sound of his voice. "Cait—"

     "Don't call me that," she snapped, turning her head sharply.

     Sucking in a breath, he let it out slowly. "You don't need to be afraid. I'm not gonna hurt you. I care too much about you to do that." Glancing down at his watch, the blonde quickly checked the time. He had only a few minutes until they arrived.

     "You only care about yourself... Hunter." Caitlin spoke his name as if it were a disease, with disgust and hatred.

     Closing his eyes, he turned away, the sound of his parents arguing ringing in his ears. Dashing away, he reappeared in his suit, blue electricity flying everywhere. Caitlin tensed, unconsciously scooting back on the bed. "Put on that pretty smile of yours," Zoom growled. "We're expecting company."

      A whirling bubble of blue energy appeared in the middle of the room at the sound of his words. Stepping out from the shadows of the waves, three strangers presented themselves.

     Caitlin gulped as her eyes landed on a yellow speedster that resembled Reverse-Flash. On either side of them stood men with guns in hand, backpacks resting on their backs.

     The breach disappeared, and the speedster walked forward, red lightning sparking at the ends of their feet. "I see you've got yourself a pet," the yellow figure spoke, their voice echoing in the station as two red glowing orbs fixed themselves on the brunette. Zoom shielded Caitlin from view. "How cute. Now, where is she?"

     Zoom gestured to the first glass cell on the left, about twenty feet away. He and Caitlin watched quietly as the three strangers made their way to the cell.

     Upon reaching the glass box, the speedster nodded to the two men. Stepping forward, the one with chocolate-colored skin placed his hand against the glass, breathing out as it began to shake before disintegrating, falling to the floor in small grains of sand.

     Next, the man with crystal-clear blue eyes and buzzcut pulled out what looked like a radio wave scanner and approached the unconscious redhead who was being held up by two chains, the tips of her toes dragging on the floor. Caitlin watched wide-eyed as he waved the device over her body, searching for something. Opening her mouth to stop them, it was quickly shut by Hunter, who had placed his gloved hand over her mouth, shaking his head.

     "No sign of sickness or dark matter. She's clear." The man spoke, looking at the yellow speedster.

     "You did as I instructed, correct?" The figure asked, turning to Zoom. He nodded.

     "I made the exchange you asked for and ensured not to injure her. She's in perfect condition." His voice was slow and steady, his hollow eyes watching the three apprehensively.

     Caitlin looked between the two quickly, her brows furrowing as she only grew more confused by the second.

     Stirring at the sound of voices, Piper fluttered her eyes open, blinking back the blurriness that clouded her sight line. Once her vision focused, she gasped, trying to move back but felt no ground beneath her. Looking down frantically, she saw that only the ends of her toes lightly brushed against the dirty and dusty floor. Snapping her head back up, she felt a strain spreading from the backs of her arms and down her back.

     "Looks like someone's awake. Hi, Expedite."