Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sara looked up at the sky. There was a storm coming. She hated being out in storms, she preferred to be inside, away from the rain, the lightning, and the thunder, but she couldn’t take a break, not tonight. Tonight she needed to stay vigilant; she needed to patrol Central City. She wandered from rooftop to rooftop, keeping an eye on the dark streets, listening for any trouble that might start. With S.T.A.R. Labs activating their particle accelerator, she was sure that law enforcement presence would be scarce on the streets. Most of the working units and those called in were sent to direct traffic and control the crowds outside the labs. Not everyone was happy about the breakthroughs that were to come with the particle accelerator. She felt the rain begin and sighed. She was really going to hate tonight. Thankfully for her, the streets were fairly deserted. That meant less work for her and less of a chance of making the news. She’d done her best to stay in the shadows since coming to Central City. She’d left Starling to keep her father and sister safe. Her father had promised to keep the knowledge that she was alive a secret from the rest of the family. Since then, she’d made sure to check in with Oliver every so often to make sure her family is Starling remained safe while she was in Central City keeping an eye on her mother. She wanted nothing more than to return home, but it wasn’t safe. Not yet.

A scream from the next block pulled her from her thoughts of home. She took off in a sprint, jumping onto the next roof. She stopped at the edge once she was sure the screaming was coming from the alley below. Sara looked down at the alley and spotted a group of men surrounding a young couple. Not wasting any more time, she cascaded down using the black scarf she’d earned while with the league. She remembered the first time she’d tried using the scarf. She ended up on her shoulder, in a lot of pain. Pain she’d been forced to work through until she’d gotten the hang of it. “Go,” she told the young couple. She was grateful when they listened. “I suggest you break this up and go home.” She told the group. The storm had picked up, and she was hoping to avoid a fight. 

The men laughed. How could one woman possibly think she could take on all of them. “You should’ve minded your business lady. Now we’re gonna have to teach you a lesson.”

Sara rolled her eyes. If she had a dollar for every time a perp told her that, she’d own her own island, err, maybe not an island, she was over those, maybe a mansion. Definitely a mansion. “Right then, shall we,” she asked, waiting for them to make the first move. Since reconnecting with Oliver and team Arrow, she’d tried to show more restraint. She did her best to scare the enemy before attacking, but a few had to be taught a lesson the hard way. The ones that thought themselves untouchable. She waited patiently as the men looked around at each other, deciding who would be the first to take on the masked woman. She could see the fear in their eyes, and that thrilled her. “This lesson you were going to teach me,” she taunted.

The leader of the group snarled, pushing two of his men at her. “Get her.”

Sara smiled and separated her bo staff.  She ducked as both men came swinging at her. Not having anticipated they would miss, their momentum pushed them past her. Sara stood up, hitting both men on the back with the bo. She waited as they picked themselves off the ground. She’d never attack someone while they were down. It wasn’t fair. Especially since she had training and they didn’t. It didn’t matter if they were lowlifes, she had a code she fought by, and these men would not be the reason she broke it. Sara’s senses alerted her that the rest of the group was getting ready to join the fight. So while she had a code, it was obvious these men did not. She turned and faced the rest of the group again, waiting for them to make the first move. One by one, she took them down, pushing them further into the alley. Sara now stood at the opening of the alley, her bo staff connected. “Are you done,” she asked. She was ready to get off the streets herself. The storm had really picked you. She could hear thunder in the distance.

“Not even close, lady.” The leader yelled.

She heard a loud explosion in the distance. By the sound of it, she knew it to be large. The particle accelerator was her first thought. She needed to take care of these fools and get to S.T.A.R. Labs. She was sure they’d need help. The men took her distraction as an opportunity, and all came at her at once. Not having enough time to prepare for the assault, Sara took out her sonic device and pointed it at the men. Normally, she avoided using the device. The ruptured eardrums the device caused would give away her location to anyone who knew what to look for. She wasn’t concerned about Team Arrow, but she had worse enemies out there, enemies that she didn’t want to find her or her family. Sara lost her balance as a bright wave moved through her and the device. The device stopped working as the wave dissipated. “What the hell.” It felt like a heatwave going through her body. She flexed and relaxed her muscles, checking to see if anything felt different. To her relief, everything felt fine. She looked down at the group of men, all of them laid out, hands covering their ears. The wave, whatever it was, had stopped just before it had reached them. Seeing as they’d be down for a while, Sara left them. She needed to see what was happening at S.T.A.R. Labs.

She parked her motorcycle behind the building and moved towards the commotion. It was mass chaos as people ran towards safety. A steady stream of people left the building. Most of them appeared to be employees. Sara snuck inside, going towards the rubble everyone was running away from. She moved from one lab to another, doing a quick sweep, making sure each room was clear. She entered a lab where two people were still inside. “You need to get out of here. The place isn’t stable,” she yelled at the scientist.

“Our colleague, she’s stuck,” one of the men yelled.

Sara ran to them. The colleague in question was passed out with a piece of the ceiling on top of her. Sara checked for a pulse. “She’s still alive, but we need to move quickly. You.” She pointed at the younger of the two men. “Help me lift. You, get ready to pull her out.” She told the second man. Both men nodded. “Alright, lift.” The two of them lifted the piece of ceiling just enough for the second man to pull the woman out. “Can you get her out the rest of the way,” she asked.

“Yes, thank you, thank you so much.” The older man thanked her.

Sara took off to search the remainder of the labs. She helped out three more people, one she’d had to carry by herself until she ran into two firefighters. She passed the man off to one of them. The firefighter was too shocked to ask any questions. “There is another one. I couldn’t get them both,” she told the second firefighter. 

“Lead the way.” He followed her. 

Sara led him to the corner of the lab, where a man was trapped under a large desk. “His pulse is weak, and I’m pretty sure he has internal bleeding, but he should be fine if we get him to a hospital soon.”

The firefighter was impressed. It was written all over his face. It seemed this masked hero had some medical knowledge in the way she was assessing the patient. “I’ll lift you pull.”

Sara nodded and waited for him to lift. Sara pulled the man to a cleared area and waited for the desk to be put back down. “I assume you can find your way out,” she asked. The firefighter nodded. “Good.” She walked back to the door.

“Hey,” the firefighter called out to her. Sara stopped and looked over her shoulder. “If you ever get tired of wearing that mask, the department is always looking for brave people.”

Sara didn’t answer. She left the lab. She didn’t do this because she was brave. She did this to atone for all the people she’d killed. She hadn’t been brave when she’d killed from the shadows. She’d been a coward, a murderer. She did what she did now to make up for her past. She did it so that people would not suffer as she had. She did this so that people would not become who she’d become. A killer, whose soul was all but gone. Sara continued to move to the source of the explosion. There she found two people in the hallway. One holding the other up. “Are you two alright? Is there anyone else down there,” she asked, pointing behind them.

“Who are you,” the male asked.

 “Is there anyone else back there,” she ignored his question, repeating her own.

“No, no, there’s no one, not alive anyway,” the woman cried. “He’s gone.”

“Let’s go.” Sara moved behind them, urging them forward.

“Dr. Wells, we can’t leave him,”

“Caitlin, I’m sure he’s already out.” Cisco tried to encourage his friend to leave.

“Cisco, we have to make sure. We can’t leave him. What if he’s hurt.” She couldn’t lose another person. It was all too much.

Sara waited patiently. It was obvious that they’d not be leaving without finding the doctor first. “Let’s go find him,” she told them. She followed as they took the lead.

“Seriously, who are you,” Cisco asked.

“Some call me Canary. We need to move quickly.” She urged, in hopes that the man she now knew as Cisco would drop it and move along.

“Canary,” he looked her up and down. “Are you attached to that name,” he asked. He had several names for her, and none of them had anything to do with a bird.

“I am.” She said it in a way that told him to drop the subject. “Watch where you’re going,” she warned. It was too late. His entire focus had been on her, he hadn’t seen the rubble he was tripping over. Sara could have grabbed him to keep him from hitting the ground, but she chose not to. She’d seen the way he’d eyed her. While she was sure it was more fascination than anything, it had still annoyed her.

“Ugh.” Cisco stood up, wiping the debris from his hands on his shirt. “This way.” He turned the hall and led them to another lab.

“Dr. Wells,” Caitlin and Cisco yelled.

“Caitlin, Cisco, I’m over here,” he called out from the other side of the room. “Go get help. You won’t be able to lift this.”

The two ran to him with Sara right behind them. “We have help. Just hang tight.”

Dr. Wells looked past his friends and colleagues at the masked woman behind them. He had so many questions but now was not the time.

“Quite a mess you’ve made here, doctor,” Sara commented. She was all too familiar with the doctor. After all, his face had been plastered on every media outlet for the past few weeks. She was almost tempted to leave him where he was, but the pleading looks she was receiving from the younger scientists were hard to deny. “Get ready. I’ll lift.”

“Are you sure, it looks pretty heavy,” Cisco asked. “Maybe we should go get one more person,” he suggested.

“Now,” Sara squatted down and began to lift the debris off of the doctor. He hadn’t been wrong. It was heavy. Her muscles strained against the weight. “Move fast.”

Dr. Wells cried out in pain as the pair pulled him out. “My legs, I can’t, I can’t feel my legs,” the doctor cried, frantically reaching for his legs.

“Wait,” Caitlin called out, stopping the Canary from moving him. “We can’t move him, the damage to his spine could worsen, and the loss of feeling in his legs could become permanent.”

Sara looked around, trying to find another way of moving the doctor. She was pretty sure the damage was already permanent, but it seemed the young woman had already dealt with enough bad news for one night. “Alright, Cisco, see that board over there,” she asked. “I want you to grab it.”

Cisco moved without question. He returned seconds later with the board in his hands. 

“Alright, we’re going to carefully slide this board under him and carry him out. This is going to hurt Dr. Wells.” She moved the board beside the doctor and prepared to slide it underneath him. She squatted at the center of the board with Caitlin at one end and Cisco at the other. “On my count,” she instructed them once again. The two nodded. At the count of three, the trio slowly began to move the board under the doctor. “Cisco, grab the legs. I’ll get the head. Caitlin, make sure he stays on the board.”

“Thank you,” Dr. Wells whispered, grabbing hold of Sara’s hand as he was being situated on the gurney.

“You have some cleaning up to do, doctor.” She told him.

He nodded. That, he was sure of. Despite the disaster of the exploding particle accelerator, he was certain his plan was finally coming along. All the years he’d spent putting things together had finally paid off. Thanks to this masked vigilante, he’d be around to see it all unfold.

***One Month Later***

A month after the particle accelerator exploded, criminals with super strength and extraordinary abilities started to surface. Dr. Wells had known this would happen. He had not expected that his team of scientists would want to stop every single person that posed a threat to the public. 

“And what do you expect to do,” he asked the two young scientists. “They have abilities not even the police are a match for. You go out there, and you will get yourself killed.”

“We have to do something. Those people are the way they are because of us. Because of the particle accelerator that we created,” Caitlin pleaded. “We can’t let it be the cause of any more pain, anymore destruction.”

Dr. Wells sighed. He looked over to where Barry lay, in a coma. If only he could speed up his recovery, but he knew that was not possible. “I know you two want to help, but there isn’t much we can do. It’s not like we have a superhero of our own.”

Cisco’s eyes lit up. He snapped his fingers and smiled. “But we do, well, kind of, not sure if she’ll want to join us, and she doesn’t have any superpowers, but she can kick some serious ass.”

“Canary,” Caitlin asked. 

“Yes,” he exclaimed. “I’ve been trying to keep up with her since she saved us. She’s been helping the police without them even knowing it. They usually show up, and the bad guys are down or tied up. The medical reports showed most of the people she helped put away had bruises caused by a metal object. That's when I remembered her bo-staff. After I had that, I looked at other medical traits, and perforated eardrums kept coming up.”

“Your point Cisco,” Dr. Wells was getting impatient.

“She’s been helping all along," he exclaimed. "She’s taken down a few of these Meta-Humans without us even knowing it.”

“Meta-Humans,” Caitlin asked.

“They need a name,” Cisco shrugged. He was pretty impressed with himself. Meta-Human was definitely one of the better names he’d come up with.

“I see your point, but I don’t get the feeling she’ll jump at the idea of working with us.” Dr. Wells had seen the look of distrust and disgust in her eyes the night she’d lifted the debris from his legs. She’d thought about leaving him there. He’d seen the hesitation in her eyes. 

“We don’t know that. We have to ask.” Cisco argued. He figured they had nothing to lose.

“How do you plan on doing that,” Dr. Wells asked. He didn’t like the idea of bringing a stranger into their group. He knew how Barry would turn out. He didn’t know this woman. She could ruin his plans if she caught on. He’d have to be extra careful.

“Leave that to me. I have an idea.” Cisco walked out of the lab. He had work to do. 

***

A few days passed before Cisco completed his computer algorithm that tracked all of the Canary’s movements. Every time he found a case that matched her style, he tagged it and let the computer figure out the rest. With over two dozen entries tagged, the computer was finally able to give him a list of locations that were central to the police apprehensions. List in hand, he sought out the masked vigilante. 

The first two addresses had been of abandoned warehouses that had nothing apart from a few squatters in them. He pulled up to the third address and sighed. “Abandoned church,” he muttered. “Should’ve started here.” He looked up at the bell tower. It had a great vantage point, and she’d be able to see anyone coming from all directions.

Everything happened quickly the minute Cisco's foot passed the threshold into the bell tower. Before he knew it, his back was pressed up against the wall, he was a foot in the air, with an arm wrapped around his neck and a blade pressed up against his cheek. 

“What are you doing here,” she asked, her hand tightening around his neck.

“Need your help,” he struggled to get the words out. Her hold was freakishly strong.

“Who else knows I’m here.” While she didn’t show it, Sara was panicking. If this scientist could find her, then she was sure others could too. She’d need to move quickly.

Cisco pushed at the arm wrapped around his neck, silently asking for her to release him so he could answer her questions.

Sara realizing she still had him up in the air, dropped him. He crumbled to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. “Who else knows you’re here,” she asked again, her voice threatening.

“No one, no one knows but me. I swear, I didn’t tell anyone, not even Caitlin and Dr. Wells.” He rubbed his neck. He was definitely going to bruise. “We need your help.” He stood up, brushing the dirt off of his hands.

Sara waited silently for him to continue. When he didn’t, she rolled her eyes. “Help with what exactly.”

“The Meta-Humans.”

“The what.” She hadn’t realized they had been given a name. 

“The super-powered humans, the criminals you’ve been helping put away. They were affected by the particle accelerator. We need your help bringing them in.” He explained. He was worried she’d have him in a choke again by telling her he’d been tracking her movements.

She’d been surprised the first time she’d come across one of these Metas. She’d been flung across the room with one hit. It had taken some strategic planning on her end to take out her opponent. “I’ve been doing fine on my own.” She looked at him a final time before turning to walk away.

He took a step towards her hoping she wouldn’t kick his ass for refusing to leave her alone. “Yes, you have, but some of the Meta-Humans out there will be too strong, even for you.” He knew she was strong, but she was only human. There was only so much she could take on by herself.

“When that happens, I’ll figure something out. I usually do.” She was not ready to tie herself down to a team. The risk was too high. While she didn’t know much about them, she would not put them in any danger if she could help it. It was another reason she’d left Starling, to keep team Arrow safe.

“But we can help.” He persisted. “You don’t have to do this alone. Let us help you.”

“I think you’ve done enough.” After everything, she still held a lot of resentment towards the employees of S.T.A.R. Labs and the disaster they’d created. She had enough to deal with without having to clean up their mess.

“Look, Canary, we messed up with the particle accelerator, we know that, but there is nothing we can do about that now. We’re trying to fix the mistake we made. We can’t let any more people get hurt because of what we did. I’ve created a program that alerts us to Meta-Human activity, but there’s very little we can do in apprehending them. Sure I can build the gadgets that would help put them away, but none of us are trained to get close enough. We’ve been working with CCPD, but they don’t have the training you do. Most of them get hurt when they get too close. Don’t think I don’t know you’re the one helping the police catch these guys. Without you, there’d be a lot more casualties.”

Sara looked at him for the longest time, and to her amazement, he didn’t look away. He really was determined to right their wrongs. She hated to admit it, but he was right. She couldn’t continue fighting these super-powered criminals on her own. She’d had a couple of close calls and had been lucky to get away. “Alright.” 

“What,” he asked, his face lighting up. He was pretty sure he’d heard her say she’d help. “Seriously, you’ll help.” He couldn’t believe it. He felt like he’d made no sense in his argument. He’d just spit out whatever came to mind.

Sara rolled her eyes. “Here,” she handed him a phone number. “You can reach me here, but if I find out you’re digging into more information on me or anything outside of us putting these Metas away, I will make you feel the worst pain you can imagine.” She threatened. “And so you know, I can torture you and keep you alive for days.”

Cisco nodded in fear, taking the phone number from her. “I believe you.” He swallowed fearfully. This was not a woman he wanted to cross. Cisco walked away with a huge smile on his face. He could not believe he’d actually pulled it off.  Having the Canary on their side was exactly what they needed. They’d been worried when the Meta-Humans had surfaced, but things were finally starting to look up. They could finally make a dent in the number of criminal Metas running around, causing havoc in the city.

Chapter Text

Leonard Snart tensed as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He was beyond relieved he’d turned the ringer off. The security guard had just passed him when the phone first started to go off. He was going to kill whoever it was. He was on the job, and all the people that normally called him knew that. He ignored the call, not bothering to check the caller ID. He would deal with them later. Right now, a precious gem was calling his name. He cursed silently when his phone started to vibrate again. He pulled the irritating device out of his pocket to see who it was. Lisa. She knew better than to bother him. He was about to ignore the call when a nagging feeling told him not to. He looked over at his partner. Mick gave him a questioning look. ‘What’s the holdup.’ Being friends for over a decade had taught him to read his friend well. He held up the phone showing him the caller. A worried expression crossed his features immediately. He reached for his own phone, seeing several missed calls from Lisa. He showed it to Leonard. They needed to leave. This could wait. For years, it had been just the three of them. They all understood family came first. If Lisa was calling them, then it was for a good reason. 

“Lisa,” Leonard answered the phone. He didn’t get another word in. His sister was frantic on the other side.

“Lenny, I’m sorry, I know you’re on a job,” she cried into the phone.

“Lisa, what’s wrong,” he asked, “where are you.” He had all but forgotten about the interrupted job. The job didn’t matter. She did.

“Lenny, you have to hurry. There are so many of them. They’re going to kill me,” Lisa cried. Lisa was not easily frightened, and that is what worried Leonard most. 

“Who’s there, Lisa, where are you,” he asked for her location again. He needed to get to her and fast. He couldn’t imagine his life without his little sister in it. He’d promised always to protect her, and if he couldn’t now, he didn’t know what he’d do. 

“I’m in the alley, the one by Mick’s favorite diner,” she cried into the phone. “Lenny, please hurry,” she pleaded with her brother. 

“We’re on our way. I want you to hide. Lisa, do you hear me, hide,” he yelled into the phone, running for the first vehicle he could find. Mick followed behind silently. Leonard handed him the phone as he broke the car window and jumped into the driver's seat, hotwiring the vehicle.

“Lisa, we’re on our way. How many of them are there,” Mick asked, putting the phone on speaker.  

“Too many. Mick, there’s too many of them,” she cried.  

Mick and Leonard shared a look, neither saying anything. This was bad, very bad. 

“Mick, Mick, are you still there,” she asked, terrified.  

“I’m here,” he assured her. “Can you run,” he asked. More than likely, she couldn’t, but they had to try something. Had to keep her talking.

“No, no, they have the alley blocked. I can’t. I thought someone was following me, and I turned down the alley, and now they have me surrounded.”

“You’re not going anywhere, lady. Hang up the phone. You’re about to have a good time.” 

The duo heard a man in the background. His words amplified Lisa’s fear. Her breathing grew labored. Leonard’s hold on the steering wheel tightened. He couldn’t lose his sister, not this way. “We’re on our way, Lisa. Just hold on, okay.” Leonard pressed the gas pedal. Lisa didn’t respond. 

“Lisa.” Both Leonard and Mick called out simultaneously. “Lisa.” They called again.

Lisa didn’t respond. All they could hear was fighting. The men looked at each other. Lisa wasn’t much of a fighter. If she wasn’t fighting, then who was. There was an ear-piercing screech on the other side of the line. Both men cringed at the sound. 

“What the hell was that,” Mick asked.  

“Lisa.” Leonard tried to reach his sister once again. “Damn it, Lisa, talk to me,” he yelled. It wasn’t often that Leonard raised his voice. In this case, he made an exception. His worry for his sister trumped his desire to never sound like his father. His blood ran cold when he heard a female’s voice cry out in pain. “Lisa,” he yelled, grabbing the phone out of Mick's hand. His only answer was the continued sound of fighting. 

The few minutes that passed in silence felt like a lifetime to the two driving. “You need to get out of here.” They heard a female voice that was definitely not Lisa’s. “You need to go. They’re going to have more coming.” The female warned. Neither of the men recognized her voice. Their team of Rogues didn’t include any other females. 

“You’re hurt.” The men both sighed in relief at hearing Lisa’s voice. “I can’t leave you here. They’ll kill you.” 

“I’ll be fine. You need to go.” The woman urged. 

“Lisa,” Leonard tried again.

“Lenny, you need to hurry. More of them just showed up. I don’t think she can handle much more. She’s hurt. I can’t just leave her here.”

Leonard handed the phone back to Mick and took a sharp turn. “We’re almost there.” Less than two minutes later, the vehicle came to a squealing halt. Both men jumped out and ran towards the group in the middle of the alley. They looked at each other in question when they saw a blonde woman wearing all black fighting with a bo-staff. They shrugged. They’d figure it out later. Right now, they needed to make sure Lisa was alright. Leonard and Mick wasted no time in attacking the men that were left standing. 

Sara felt her energy draining as one attacker followed another. She was beyond relieved when she heard the squealing tires turn the corner. Her vision started to blur and slowly darken. Her body was no longer obeying her commands to fight, to defend itself. She felt herself collapse as another offender approached. She watched in a haze as the man towered over her, ready to strike, but he never got the chance. The woman that had been in the alley, the woman she’d been trying to protect, the reason she was currently lying in the center of the dark alley, hit him on the head and one of the two men took care of the rest. 

“Are you alright,” Leonard asked his sister once everyone was down. He looked his sister over, checking for any obvious injuries. He was relieved when he didn’t find any. 

“I’m fine, but she’s not.” She pointed to the semiconscious blonde lying on the ground. “Leonard, we can’t leave her here. She’s hurt. One of them got her with a knife.” She motioned to the man that was lying a few feet from where the blonde was.

Leonard knew he couldn't just leave here there. He owed this woman dearly. After all, she had saved the one thing that mattered most to him in the world. He knelt down, taking a better look at her. Her head rolled over, her half-closed, pained eyes looking into his. He sighed. Damn his code of honor. “We’ll get you some help,” he assured her. He figured he could drop her off at a hospital somewhere and be done with it.

“No hospitals,” she whispered. “Please.” She couldn’t afford to have doctors removing her mask and revealing who she was. She thought about asking him to take her to S.T.A.R. Labs, but she faced the same dilemma. Even after months of working with them, they had no idea who she was. 

Leonard sighed once again. Against his better judgment, he nodded. “No hospitals.” Even though she was probably one of the good guys, he decided he’d help her. Because she’d saved Lisa, he reminded himself. The blonde closed her eyes, allowing the darkness to overtake her. “You sure you’re okay,” Leonard asked his sister once again.

“I’m fine, Lenny. She didn’t let them near me.” She pointed to the passed-out blonde. 

Leonard took a good look at his surroundings. There were nearly two dozen bodies littering the floor. A handful he and Mick had taken care of. The rest were all taken down by the woman lying unconscious before him. “Lend me a hand, Mick.” 

Mick gave Lisa’s shoulder a comforting squeeze before moving to pick up the unconscious woman. He waited for Lisa to get into the back seat of the car they’d acquired before putting the woman in. He took the passenger seat while Leonard got behind the wheel.

“What were you doing out here, in the middle of the night,” Leonard asked. He was furious with his sister. He’d warned her so many times about going out by herself, especially in this part of the neighborhood. On top of it all, she hadn’t taken her gun with her. While Lisa couldn’t fight, she was an expert marksman. 

“I wanted to surprise you guys with wings for after the job,” Lisa explained.  

Mick smirked but remained silent. The fact that Lisa had gone to his favorite diner to surprise them warmed his heart, though he’d never utter those words out loud. As far as most people were concerned, he didn’t have a heart. That the only thing that brought him happiness was setting things on fire, and for the most part, he liked it that way. Lisa and Leonard were family. They were the only people he allowed to get close to him. 

Leonard shot Mick a glare. He didn’t have to see it to know the smirk was there. Mick didn’t let many people fuss over him. Lisa was the only exception. He had a soft spot for her. “Next time, just order in,” he said as they came up to one of their hideaways. 

With the vehicle hidden in the garage, Mick carried the blonde in, taking her to an old worn-out brown leather couch.  

“I’ll take care of her, take Lisa home, and ditch the car. Make sure there’s nothing left that will point back to us.” He didn’t need to explain. Mick and Lisa had done this several times. They would clean the inside of the vehicle of any evidence that led to them. Tonight that evidence included the blood of Lisa’s guardian angel. “Mick,” Leonard called out.

“I’ll stay with her.” He hadn’t planned on leaving her alone. Not after the night she’d had. Leonard nodded.  

Leonard was grateful for Mick. He was always there for Lisa when he couldn’t be there himself. With Lisa and Mick gone, Leonard turned his attention back to the figure bleeding on his couch. “What to do with you,” he muttered. 

Leonard left the room in search of a first aid kit, towels, and several bottles of water. He set everything down and just looked at the woman for a moment, deciding on his next move. Lisa had told him the wound was on her back. The only problem was she was currently lying on it, and the leather outfit she wore was in the way. He gave her a once over. The blonde hair was an obvious wig. He wondered what color her actual hair was. He figured he’d find out later. He reached for her slowly, needing to turn her over to get a better look at her wound. A hand shot out, taking hold of his wrist. Her reflexes were still there. That was a good sign. “I’m not your enemy.” He assured her. “I need to look at your back.”

She looked at him for a minute, deciding on whether she could trust the man with piercing blue eyes. Something told her she could, not that she had a lot of options since she was bleeding out and would not be able to reach the wound herself. She reminded herself that he could've left her to die in the alley or worse, taken her to a hospital, but he hadn’t. She nodded, releasing his arm. 

“I’m Leonard.” He offered.

“Sara.” She removed her facemask. It had begun to dig into her face making her uncomfortable. 

He watched as she removed her mask, followed by the wig. So she was blonde underneath. Leonard said nothing for several minutes. She was beautiful. He felt himself being drawn to her, which was a completely new feeling to him. His eyes found hers. He’d been caught staring. He cleared his throat, focusing on the project at hand. “I need to take a look at your back.”

Sara nodded and sat up with his help. Immediately she felt a wave of dizziness hit her. He steadied her, keeping her seated on the couch. “Thanks,” she mumbled, working to remove her black leather jacket. She turned, facing the couch, hugging a pillow to her chest. With her back now to him, he got a good look at the strings that held her outfit together. Very carefully and very slowly, he reached for the knot, untying it, freeing her from the upper half of her suit. He looked away as the suit opened, fully revealing her back. “It’d be easier if you were laying down.” He continued to look away to allow her to do so freely.  

Sara removed her top, letting it drop on the ground next to her jacket, and laid down, leaving her back exposed. Leonard turned back around when she told him she was ready. Her head was facing him. She watched his reaction as he looked at her bare back. She watched as his eyes took in the scars that ran across her lower back. His expressions did not betray him. He was a hard read. He sat beside her on the couch, using the towels to stop the last of the bleeding. Not sensing any danger, Sara allowed her eyes to close once again.

Seeing she’d drifted off again, Leonard allowed himself to really look at the angry scars as he applied pressure to the cut on her back.  He wondered what had caused each scar. They all looked similar, but by the looks of them, they were done at separate times. The scars were mostly healed. He wondered what it was that the woman was into that would cause so much hurt. He felt her eyes again. He looked up to see her staring at him. He said nothing. He wasn’t sorry he’d been caught staring. He was sure if the roles were reversed, she’d have been studying his scars too. He checked on the wound again, making sure it had stopped bleeding. Seeing that it had, he looked back up at his patient. “This might hurt.” He lifted a bottle of water. “I didn’t have any saline, so it’s soapy water.” 

“I’m no stranger to pain.”

He nodded. By the scars that ran across her back and rounded her abdomen, he believed that statement to be true. He placed several towels around the wound to keep the water from going all over. He opened the bottle and slowly started pouring it on and around the wound. She didn’t even flinch. The only reaction he received was the flexing of her arm muscles. He continued to work silently, noticing that she’d once again drifted off. Cleaning the wound as best he could, he dried it up with another clean towel. He stitched the wound as neatly as he could. Thanks to his father and his career as a criminal, he’d had a lot of practice patching people up. Eyeing his handy work, he nodded in approval. It would definitely leave a scar but it wouldn’t be an ugly one. He put a generous amount of antibiotic ointment on the wound before bandaging it up. He looked at his patient, still out. Leonard left the room and returned minutes later with a blanket. He contemplated his next move. It would have been so much easier if she was awake. “Sara,” he shook her gently. 

Her eyes shot open, immediately checking her surroundings for any signs of danger.

“You’re safe,” he assured her. “I need to move you to a bed.” He motioned to a room behind him.  

She nodded. He laid the blanket he’d been holding around her. She sat up and wrapped it around her shoulders. She shut her eyes when everything started to spin.

“You alright,” he asked.

She gave him a slow nod. “Fine.”

He was tempted just to pick her up, but something told him that he’d probably get his ass kicked. So instead, he helped her up and guided her unstable body to the room that held the beds. Once she was seated on the bed, he moved to one of the dressers. “Here.” He gave her a long-sleeved shirt. “It’ll probably be big, but I think you’ll find it more comfortable than what you have on now.” He smiled and pointed at the blanket.  

Again she nodded her thanks. She was too afraid to open her eyes. She could feel herself sway as she sat. She was dizzy and nauseous. She worried that any movement would send her over the edge.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital,” he asked. She was looking very pale.

She nodded, finally opening her eyes. “No hospitals. Promise me.”

“Alright, no hospitals.” he sighed. He owed her for saving his sister's life, so for now, he’d do as she asked and not take her to a hospital. He didn’t miss the relieved look she gave him. “Are you hurt anywhere else,” he asked.  

Relieved, she relaxed a bit. “Mostly bruises.” She answered. She mentally checked each area of pain she was experiencing, comparing it to the times she’d experienced it in the past. She was sure she didn’t have anything broken. The only concern she had was the loss of blood. She was too dizzy. She hoped some rest would help.  

“Alright, tell me if that changes. I’m going to go clean up. I’ll be sleeping just over there.” He pointed to the bed several feet from hers. “Let me know if you need anything.” He watched her gaze go from him to the bed. “Someone bled all over my fancy couch,” he added. He was surprised when she cracked a smile.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“Get some rest.” With that, he walked out of the room, letting her get dressed. He discarded all the bloody towels and put away the first aid kit making a mental note to restock it. Once done, he called his partner to check on his sister. “Mick, how is she.” He wished he could be with his sister. Hearing the terror in her voice had really scared him.

“Shaken,” Mick answered. Mick checked on Lisa one last time before shutting the door to her room and walking out. “She didn’t think she was going to make it. They’d had her surrounded, blocking all her exits. She said blondie practically dropped out of the sky.” Mick didn’t know who the woman was, but after hearing everything that had happened from Lisa, he was indebted to her. 

Leonard sighed. It took a lot to shake his sister. It must have been bad. The night had taken a toll on all of them. He stared at the room that Sara was currently sleeping in. He owed her so much. He’d have to find a way to repay her. After all, no one did a good deed without expecting payment in return. “Why her,” Leonard asked, returning to the topic at hand.

“Some kind of gang initiation. It’s a large gang. Several of them were being initiated.” Mick didn’t need to spell it out; they knew what most initiations consisted of. Mick continued. “What they hadn’t expected was our little blonde friend.”

“Sara.” Leonard supplied. “Her name is Sara.” He hadn’t expected her either. If she’d been running around the city, he hadn’t noticed. 

“We’re going to take care of them, right,” he asked. Mick had the worst temper of the two of them, and he knew it, but he also knew that Leonard did not take his sister getting messed with lightly. 

“Like you need to ask. We’ll talk about that tomorrow. Take care of her, Mick.”

“I always do.” Was Mick’s response before hanging up.  

Leonard put his phone away and secured all the doors before going back to the room Sara was in. He walked in quietly so as not to wake her. He was amazed she’d been conscious at all throughout the evening. For someone who’d lost so much blood and had other injuries, she should've stayed passed out for hours. She was a fighter. That was one thing he was sure of. He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before moving into the room. He watched Sara briefly, noticing she still had her boots on. He debated leaving them on but knew she’d be more comfortable with them off. So, slowly and quietly, he set to work on removing them. She grunted but never fully woke up. Leonard set the boots aside and covered her before going to his bed. He lay awake for close to an hour, replaying the events of the night. His sister's fearful voice played over and over like a recording. He shook his head. He needed to leave those thoughts alone. She was fine. She was safe in her bed. He gazed at the blonde once again. He decided right then that he could never really repay her. Nothing he could do would ever be thanks enough for what she’d risked for his sister.

Chapter Text

Leonard woke up a few hours later feeling tired. Normally he’d have liked to sleep in a few more hours, but he wanted to check on Sara. He looked over at her, sound asleep. Good, he thought. She needed to rest if she was going to heal. He stretched his tired muscles and stood up to start the day. He rummaged through the dresser drawers grabbing fresh clothes. Holding his change of clothes, he made his way out of the room. He spotted a pair of leather black pants that were not there the night before on his way out. He looked back at the sleeping figure. He assumed she’d gotten hot during the night. He needed to message Lisa and have her bring clothes. 

An hour later, Leonard returned, showered and dressed with a plate of toast in one hand and pills and bottled water, in the other. “Sara,” he called her name softly, not wanting to startle her. He sat at the edge of the bed and placed a hand on her forehead, warm. “Sara.” He tried again. He needed her to get up, eat, and take some medicine before the fever set in fully. Sara just groaned, hiding her face in the pillow. He'd have found the act cute if he weren’t concerned about a possible fever and an infection. “Come on Sara, you need to wake up.”

Sara slowly rolled on her back, not happy at having been woken up. It took a second for her to remember where she was. She looked around the room, trying to remember how she’d made it to bed and when she’d changed. Her eyes finally fell on Leonard. She wondered if he’d changed her. No. She remembered taking off her own pants during the night. She’d been hot. Her boots and shirt, she couldn’t recall.

“I just did the boots.” He supplied as if reading her mind. “You’re a bit warm, so I want you to take these.” He held out the tablets and bottled water. 

Sara smiled, a bit surprised he’d been able to read her so well. “Thanks.” She took the offered water bottle and medication. She grimaced at the plate of toast he offered her next. “Not hungry.” She was still nauseous, and the thought of eating made her want to throw up.

“You need to eat if you want to heal.” It was like dealing with stubborn old Mick. He waited patiently, the plate of food resting in his lap. He had all day.  

Seeing that he wasn’t going to just let her go back to sleep, Sara reached for a piece of buttered toast, taking small bites.

Leonard watched as she ate. Her movements were slow. He wondered what else was going on with her. It was either an infection setting in, or her other injuries were worse than she’d said. “How are you feeling,” he asked.

She shrugged, wincing slightly from the act. “I’ve been worse.” She offered. She wasn’t ready to admit how miserable she felt. She just wanted to sleep. She finished one piece of toast and pushed the plate away. She couldn't force down another piece if she tried.

“Alright, you don’t have to eat anymore, but you need to drink the rest of this water.” He held the bottle out to her. She rolled her eyes but took it nonetheless. When she was done,     she handed the empty bottle back to him. 

Sara laid back down, ready to go back to sleep.

“Sara.”

“Hmm,” she hummed.

“I need to check your back, make sure you didn’t bleed through, and put some more ointment on.”

She nodded her response and rolled onto her side, her back to him. 

Leonard took this as permission and pulled her shirt up. Gently he removed the bandage. It was bloody but not too bad. The wound itself was concerning. It looked angry. Not a good sign. He’d have to keep an eye on it. He quickly cleaned the area around the stitches and applied more ointment to it before bandaging it up. “I’ll check on this again in a few hours.” He looked over at her face. Her eyes were closed. “Guess I don’t have to tell you to get some rest then.” He covered her once again and left her to sleep.  

“We brought breakfast.” Mick held up a bag of food. “How’s our guest,” he asked, looking for her.

“Resting,” Leonard responded. “How are you doing,” he asked Lisa, giving her a hug. 

“I’m fine, Lenny, honest. I was just scared.” She hugged him back, holding on tightly. She’d come so close to losing him the night before. “We brought Sara some clothes. I think she’s smaller than me.” She set the bag aside. 

“Thank you. They’re a better fit than my clothes. Let’s eat. I’m hungry.” The trio sat at the table, sharing the breakfast Mick and Lisa had brought with them. 

“So you gonna try and get that gem again,” she asked. She’d felt bad she’d interrupted their heist. The two had spent weeks planning everything out.

“Not yet. We have other things to take care of.”

“Len, don’t. There were so many of them.” She warned fearfully. She couldn’t lose the only two people she cared for. 

“No one touches my sister and gets away with it.” Just the thought of them coming near her angered him. He was slowly moving past the fear he’d felt of losing his sister. Anger was rapidly taking its place.

“But they didn’t touch me, Lenny. Sara made sure of that.” She looked to Mick for support.

“Sorry, Lisa, I’m with Len on this one.” He’d spent several hours thinking of what could have happened if Sara had not been there to stop them.

“Lisa, if it’s not you, they’re going to go after someone else.” Leonard tried to justify his actions. He knew at the end of the day he’d go after the gang whether his sister was on board or not. He just hoped that he’d have her blessing. 

Lisa sighed, this was a battle she would not win. She remembered the last time someone had hurt her. It had been an ex-boyfriend that had cheated on her. Mick and Leonard had hung him by his feet and threatened to kill him. He’d walked away with a broken leg and several broken ribs.  She smiled as she thought about it. He hadn’t really walked away, more like hobbled. 

Mick and Leonard took the smile on her face as a go-ahead and started talking about the plan for the days to come. 

After breakfast, Leonard and Mick prepared themselves for some recon. “Call if anything changes. I left medicine on the.”

“I got it, Len, don’t worry so much.” She interrupted him. 

He sighed. She was right. She’d taken care of him and Mick countless times. She had the routine down by now. If she could handle Mick and himself as patients, she could handle just about anyone. 

“Sorry,” he apologized, placing a kiss on her forehead. “We’ll be back soon.”

Once she ensured Sara was sound asleep, she set the bag of clothes beside her bed and began to clean. They didn’t use the hideout often. A layer of dust covered nearly every surface. She used the time cleaning as a way to relax and distract herself. The events from the previous night were bothering her more than she’d let on. She didn't want Mick and Leonard to worry about her more than they already were. She heard the door handle and moved toward it. She almost reached to unlock it, thinking the guys were back but thought better of it. They had a key. She peeked through the peephole and saw no one there. She’d thought she’d imagined it, but then she heard the sound of glass breaking. “Shit,” she cursed, her mind whirling. She needed to get out. 'No, I need to get to Sara.' She reminded herself. She shook her head, trying to focus her thoughts. Leonard. She needed to call Leonard. “Where the hell did I put my phone.” She ran to the dining room area where they’d had breakfast and found the device sitting on the table. She sighed in relief and grabbed it, making a run to the hallway closet, grabbing the bat Leonard had stashed there. She wished she’d had her gun. Twice, she’d been without it now. Leonard was sure to lecture her about that later. She quickly dialed Leonard’s numbers.  

Leonard answered the phone on the first ring. “Lisa, what’s wrong,” he asked. 

“You need to come back, now,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady and failing. She was terrified. There was no way she’d be able to get herself and Sara out.

“We know you’re alone.” A voice yelled from down the hall.

Lisa gasped when someone grabbed her arm. She turned towards the intruder and sighed in relief when she saw Sara standing there. Sara held a finger up to her lips in a shushing motion and pulled her back into the room. She looked awful. Lisa could see her struggling to stay upright. “Leonard, they’re here,” she whispered back into the phone.

“Go wake Sara and stay with her. We’re on our way.” He was relieved Mick had picked up on the stress in his voice. Without being told, he’d already stepped on the accelerator. “One of them must have followed us last night. Damn it,” he cursed, banging his fist against the dashboard. He should have been smarter. He’d been so occupied with having his sister safe he’d failed to make sure they’d had no tail. If they knew about this place, he wondered if they knew where Lisa had been the night before. “Were you followed last night,” he asked Mick.

Mick shook his head in the negative. He’d gone out of his way to make sure they hadn’t been followed, especially since they’d had to ditch the car. 

“You’re sure,” Leonard asked. He hated doubting his friend, but he needed to make sure their place was safe. 

“I’m sure.” Mick didn’t seem bothered by the question.  

“Leonard,” Lisa called out to him. “Sara’s with me. She doesn’t look too good.” If the situation wasn’t so dire, Leonard would have smiled at Sara’s persistent, ‘I’m fine,’ in the background. He didn’t need to see her to know she was feeling terrible. He’d seen it in her eyes earlier that morning. She'd fought to keep her eyes open and eat the toast he'd made her.

“Stay out of sight,” Mick ordered. “We’ll get there as soon as we,” he was interrupted by a loud whacking sound in the background. Too late, it had seemed that the fighting had already started. 

The duo drove as quickly as they could while once again listening to what was undoubtedly the sound of Sara taking care of business. “Stay behind me.” They heard her order Lisa. A second later, a loud thud sounded as she took on another offender. 

*****Meanwhile, at the hideout*****

Sara could feel her losing the last bit of adrenaline. Her vision was becoming worse with each swing. She’d taken the first two out with the bat, the third with a hook to the right side of his face. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep it up. She gave the bat to Lisa to defend herself in case she went down. “Stay behind me,” she ordered. She was glad when Lisa didn’t argue. 

“How long do you think you can keep doing this, lady,” one of the boys asked, running at her with a knife.  

She rolled her eyes, he was just a kid, and his technique was all wrong. She easily disarmed him, taking his knife from him. “As long as I need to,” she answered, knocking him down. “Stay down.” She placed her barefoot on his throat. “How many of you are there,” she asked, pushing down against his throat. “How many,” she repeated, pushing even harder.

“Three,” he gasped. He couldn’t believe she was still standing. It wasn’t possible. 

Getting the information she needed, she knocked him out with a swift kick to his head. ‘Three more to go. You can do this.’ Sara gave herself a pep talk. Three more, and then she could close her eyes and keep them closed. The other three were smarter than the first four that had just run in. They came in at once, hoping to outnumber them. Sara closed her eyes for a brief moment taking a deep breath. ‘Just like when you were in the league,’ she reminded herself. There were so many times in the beginning when she’d gotten hurt and had to keep fighting. This was not that different. “Be ready,” she warned Lisa.  

Lisa nodded and moved to stand beside her, again wishing she had her gun. Guns she was good with, bats not so much. She didn’t have the strength required to knock someone out.

As the three men entered, two went after Sara, and the much larger man went after Lisa. ‘Crap,’ Sara cursed to herself. There was no way Lisa could take him on by herself. Sara worked hard to take down the two men coming at her. She ended up tricking them into tackling each other. Being stunned, she wasted no time in knocking their heads into each other. One more. She was relieved when she heard the main door burst open. Reinforcement was finally there. She turned in time to see the final assailant pin Lisa down with the bat against her throat. Without thinking and running purely on adrenaline, she stepped up behind him, snapping his neck and pushing him off of Lisa. With the threat gone, she collapsed to her knees, no longer able to hold herself up. 

Leonard and Mick had witnessed the final takedown from the doorway, amazed at Sara’s sheer strength. Breaking someone’s neck was not easy, and given everything Sara was going through, they were in awe of her.

“You alright,” Leonard asked his sister as they stepped over the bodies. 

“I’m fine. She’s not looking too good.” She pointed to Sara while rubbing the area the bat had been just seconds ago. She didn’t know how Sara had done it, but she’d saved them. Again. And now she was looking like she might pass out.  

“We need to get out of here before they send backup. Watch her.” Leonard told Lisa. He and Mick set out to grab anything that would lead to them. This was one of the main reasons they didn’t leave much identifying information in their safe houses. They grabbed two garbage bags and placed anything they might need in them. The bedroom was the last place to be cleared. 

“How is she,” Leonard asked. 

“She’s out.” Lisa sat on the ground with her arms wrapped around Sara, holding her against her. “Len, she’s burning up.” She was really worried. Sara would not be in this mess if not for her. She needed her to get better. This was twice she’d risked her life for her, and she didn’t even know her. 

“We’re almost done here,” Leonard assured her. He was concerned too. He could see the beads of sweat on Sara’s forehead. He wasn’t sure if that was from the fight or the fever. Either way, he needed to get her settled soon. If he thought he owed her before, he was sorely mistaken. Lisa had been seconds away from being suffocated. Sara had killed to keep her alive. She’d killed for his sister, a woman she knew nothing about. At that moment, he respected her more than he had anyone in his entire life.

“Here, let me take her.” Mick knelt down, taking Sara’s limp body in his arms. He shot Leonard a worried look. Leonard just nodded. 

Lisa grabbed Sara’s clothes and bo-staff, loaded them into the trunk of the car, and settled in the backseat, once again taking Sara from Mick and settling her against her. 

With everything else cleared out of the house, Mick and Leonard got into the car and headed to another safe house. This time being extra careful, they weren’t followed. Leonard made a call to an associate of his asking him to bring a few guys in and clean up the rest of the place. 

Lisa wiped the sweat from Sara’s brow. She was burning up against her. “You should have seen her. She was amazing. I’ve never seen anyone fight like that.” She'd never know how Sara had managed to continue fighting with the way she felt. She was just glad she had.

“She took all of them out,” Mick asked from the front seat. Lisa nodded. Both eyebrows shot up. Impressive. 

Sara started flinching in Lisa’s arms. The movements were small at first, accompanied by sighs, the sighs became grunts, and those grunts turned into words. “No.” She shook her head, pushing to break free from Lisa’s grasp. “Help,” she whispered. Her movements getting worse. 

“Sara, it’s just a dream. We’re safe now.” Lisa tried her best to calm her, but nothing seemed to work. Sara was getting worked up, and trying to wake her also wasn’t working. She looked at Leonard through the rearview mirror, eyes full of concern.

“No more,” Sara cried out. “Please, stop,” she pled. 

Leonard reached back with the hand, not on the wheel, and took hold of Sara’s arm gently. “Sara,” he spoke gently. “We’re gonna get you help soon. I just need you to hang on a bit.” He rubbed his thumb against her arm. 

To everyone's shock, her movements slowed but only slightly.  “Leonard,” she questioned, her eyes still closed.

“I’m here. Just hang on a few more minutes.” He gave her arm a squeeze, not releasing it as he once again focused most of his attention on the road. Leonard felt a calloused hand take hold of his. He looked back for a second to confirm what he already knew. Sara had a grip on his hand, and judging by how tightly she held on, she did not plan on letting go.

Lisa patted his arm in thanks. He always knew how to deal with nightmares. After all, he’d had to raise and help her get through hers most nights. Sara’s movements slowed to an occasional flinch. Lisa would catch Leonard rubbing her arm anytime she moved. It was such a rare sight for her to see her brother like this. She wondered if her brother had a soft spot for this woman, either because she’d saved her or he was actually drawn to her. She hoped it was the latter. She wanted nothing more than to see her brother happy, but deep down, she knew he wouldn’t allow himself that happiness. 

They pulled into another garage, securing it behind them. This place was on the outskirts of Central City and somewhat secluded. It gave them the opportunity to work without raising too many questions from the neighbors. 

Leonard let go of Sara’s hand and moved to the backseat to take her from Lisa. “Get me the first aid kit and something for the fever.” He instructed as he picked Sara up. 

“Leonard,” Sara mumbled against his chest. “Something’s not right.”

“I know. I need to change your bandage and get you some more medicine.” He tightened his hold on her. The heat coming off of her worried him. “Mick, I need a bowl of cold water and some rags.”

Mick nodded, moving to the kitchen. Normally he wouldn’t have supported the idea of bringing an outsider to any of their hideouts, but he was grateful to the blonde for everything she’d done, so he moved without question.

Leonard set Sara down on the bed and rolled her onto her stomach.  He needed to get a good look at her back. His head snapped up when he heard his sister gasp. He assumed she’d seen the scars. One look at her confirmed it. 

Her eyes were sad. “She fits right in, doesn’t she,” she asked, pointing to the scars. She handed him the first aid kit and set a bottle of water and medicine on the nightstand.

Leonard nodded, not trusting his voice. She certainly did. He, Mick, and Lisa had a number of scars, some from the job, but most were given to them by people that were supposed to love them. He wondered, not for the first time, what Sara’s story was. He pulled the blood-soaked bandage off, tossing it in the trash can. He cleaned the excess blood checking on the stitches. Miraculously they were still in place, but the wound itself looked angrier than before. 

“That doesn’t look good,” Lisa commented from beside him.

He nodded in agreement. It was definitely starting to look infected. He grabbed the saline from the kit and poured it over the wound. He wished he could just take her to the hospital. This would be an easy fix for them, but a promise was a promise. With the wound taken care of, he rolled her back over. He took the bowl Mick brought and soaked a couple of rags in it. He wrung the excess water from the rags and placed them on Sara’s head, arms, and feet.  He replaced the rags every ten minutes or so. 

“We’re going to get dinner,” Lisa told Leonard, pulling Mick out with her.

Leonard nodded. He took the rags and placed them back in the bowl. “Sara,” He called out to her. She didn’t respond. “Sara.” He shook her gently hoping to wake her. “Come on, Sara.” 

Sara groaned, her eyes opening slowly. “Leonard,” she asked.

“The one and only,” he smirked. “I need you to take some medicine and drink more water.”

“Ugh,” she muttered, forcing herself to sit up, almost falling in the process. She couldn’t understand why she wasn’t starting to feel better. She’d been stabbed before, lost blood. It never felt as it did now. It had to be more.

“I’ve got you.” Leonard sat behind her, holding her up. “Here.” He held out the pills for her. She took them without a fight, and that he was thankful for. Taking care of Mick and Lisa had always been a pain in the ass. Sara seemed to understand that she needed this to get better. “Drink as much of the water as you can.” 

She made a face. Water was the last thing she wanted. She let her head fall back against his shoulder. “Thanks, Len.” She finished the bottle of water, setting the empty bottle on the bed. She let the exhaustion take over and closed her eyes.

“Sure,” he murmured quietly. He moved to get up only to find Sara had already fallen asleep. Leonard settled back against the wall. He reached over and grabbed two rags from the bowl, wringing the water out and placing one on her exposed arm and the second rag on her forehead. Sara shifted against him, taking hold of his shirt.

Later, Lisa stuck her head in the room to get Leonard. She paused at the sight before her. She couldn’t remember a time when her brother had willingly allowed someone to be in such close proximity to him, especially while sleeping. She stepped out quietly and shut the door behind her. 

Chapter Text

Lisa stuck her head in the room to get Leonard. She paused at the sight before her. She couldn’t remember a time when her brother had willingly allowed someone to be in such close proximity to him, especially while sleeping. She stepped out quietly and shut the door behind her. 

“Leonard not coming,” Mick asked from his seat on the couch.

She shook her head. “He’s sleeping.” She took a seat beside Mick. “Must not have slept much last night.” She was pretty sure he hadn’t. Her brother had always been the planner, the worrier, of the group.

“How is he sleeping? There’s only one bed,” Mick asked. “Oh.” He said after a brief second, raising both brows in surprise. He could honestly say he hadn’t seen that coming. “Well, more food for us,” Mick smiled, wiggling his eyebrows. “Here,” he handed her a sandwich. The two ate in silence, both thinking about the night before. 

“Why the diner,” Mick finally asked. He’d wanted to ask her all day.

Lisa didn’t answer immediately. “I wanted to surprise you guys after the job. I know the diner is your favorite. You always have Lenny’s back, and I don’t think I say thank you enough.” That wasn’t the entire truth, and she was sure he knew it. “But that wasn’t the only reason.” She added.

“Oh,” he questioned.

“I wanted to do it for you, even if you don’t like to let it show. I see that twinkle in your eyes when someone does something nice for you. That and the smile you try to hide. Kinda like the one you’re trying to suppress right now.” 

Mick’s smile only grew. It wasn’t often that people went out of their way for him, so it would catch him off guard when they did. Usually, people wanted something in return, but he knew Lisa wasn’t asking for anything. She’d done it just to do it, and it had led to one of the scarier nights she’d had to endure in a long time. He watched as her hand moved towards him. Her fingers traced the lines around his mouth. She moved closer. “Lisa,” he warned.

She shushed him and continued to move in. She watched him watching her, his eyes moving from her eyes to her lips and back again. He wanted this as much as she did. They’d been heading to this point in their relationship for a long time, but neither had made a move, afraid of where it would go. If last night had taught her anything, it was that life was short. Death was around the corner. Trouble would find them even when they weren’t looking for it. She looked into his eyes one final time, giving him a chance to back away, but he didn’t. Her heart pounding, she smiled at him, leaning in until she felt her lips connect with his. All the times she’d thought about the feel of his lips could not prepare her for what she felt now. His lips were soft, a word she’d never associate with him out loud. She smiled into the kiss when she finally felt him relax. He placed a hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.

“Ugh, I am never going to unsee that, am I,” Leonard rolled his eyes. He wished he’d stayed in the room with the furnace that was Sara. He’d woken up with her curled around him, and that had scared him, so he’d gently moved her off of him and escaped the bedroom only to walk in on his sister and best friend kissing. He held up his hand when he saw them jump apart, ready to explain. “You’re both adults. I don’t want a front-row seat. And you,” he pointed to Mick. “Do I need to say it,” he asked.

“You’ll kill me if anything goes wrong,” Mick stated matter of factly. Leonard bowed his head. “Nope, got the message loud and clear, boss.”

“Good,” he moved over to the recliner, not wanting to share the couch with them. “Did you leave me any food,” he asked, looking at what was left on the table. 

Lisa handed him a sandwich, not making any eye contact. She was still feeling embarrassed at having been caught kissing Mick. She’d have to hand it to her brother; he’d handled it really well. “How’s Sara,” she asked, wanting to talk about anything but what he’d walked in on.

“I don’t think she’s getting better,” he sighed, frustrated. “She’s still refusing to go to the hospital. We’ll see how she’s doing by tomorrow and go from there.”

“You don’t think she’s going to.” She couldn’t say it. Saying it made it a possibility. 

“Not if I can help it.” Her brother assured her. He wouldn’t allow Sara to die not after she’d saved his sister’s life. 

All three faced the bedroom Sara was in when screaming erupted. Leonard sprung to his feet immediately. He ran for Sara’s room with Mick and Lisa close behind him. He entered the dark room making his way to Sara’s thrashing body. “Sara,” he called out to her. “Sara, wake up.” He motioned for Lisa and Mick to leave. If Sara was anything like him, then she would not like people seeing her in such a vulnerable state. The two stepped out, shutting the door behind them. He reached out to her slowly. “Sara, it’s Leonard.”

“No,” she yelled, pushing against his hand. “Let me go.” She called out. “Please let me go,” she begged. “Don’t leave me in here.” Her head thrashed around. “Please,” she cried, tears streaming down her face. 

“It’s just a dream, Sara.” He was beginning to doubt those words. The scars on her back had already told him she’d endured a lot. “You’re safe now.” He remembered uttering those same words to his sister through most of her childhood though they’d never really been safe. Not while their father was breathing. To Leonard’s relief, Sara’s eyes opened. He moved to sit beside her.

“I don’t want to go back,” she whispered to him.

“Back where Sara,” He asked, afraid of the answer.

“The cage, I don’t want to go back.” She sat up, looking around fearfully. “Don’t let them take me back.”

Leonard’s breath caught in his throat. He learned two things very quickly. The first was that there was no doubt in his mind that Sara had truly suffered. The second, the dreams she’d been having were not dreams at all. They were flashbacks. He was sure the fever was not helping her in the least. “You’re safe. I won’t let them take you back.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. He was surprised when she didn’t fight him but instead settled against him.

They sat in silence for several minutes before she spoke. “Something’s not right.” She repeated her words from earlier. “I should be better, not worse.”

“You’ve exerted a lot of energy,” he explained.

“No, this is different. Poison feels like poison.”

“Will you let me take you to the hospital now?” He hoped her answer was yes. 

She shook her head. “No hospitals. S.T.A.R. Labs, they can help.”

“The place that caused an explosion a few months ago, Sara, the place is abandoned.”

She shook her head in the negative. “There is a door in the back west corner of the building. Please, Leonard.”

He sighed. This is why he hated owing people. They made him do things that made him feel uncomfortable. Though a part of him felt as though he’d probably done it for Sara even if he didn’t owe her so much. “Okay, but if no one is there, I will take you to the hospital.”

She nodded. She was sure someone would be there. They were always there. “Bring my bo-staff. They’ll need proof.” 

“Proof of what,” he asked. When she didn’t answer, he realized she’d fallen asleep again. He adjusted the pillows behind her and stood up. He left her alone in the room while he talked with Mick and Lisa. As he’d expected, they were not happy with his decision to take Sara to the labs. Luckily it hadn’t taken too much to convince the both of them that this was the necessary and right thing to do. He returned a few minutes later with his parka in hand to find Sara still sound asleep. He draped the jacket over her, lifted her up, and carried her to the car. 

“You sure you don’t want us to come with you,” Mick asked once Leonard had Sara buckled in.

“I’m sure. I’ll keep you both updated. Stay out of trouble.” God only knew how much trouble the two of them could get into without his supervision. 

Lisa groaned. “Give us some credit, Lenny.”

“We’ll be fine.” Mick wiggled his eyebrows, causing a groan from Leonard. Getting to him was so much easier nowadays.  

With one last glare at his friend, he got in the driver’s seat and set out for S.T.A.R. Labs. He drove around the back of the building and found the door as she’d told him. He tried the door and found it unlocked. He shook his head. Not a very secure base of operations. Leonard carried her inside and followed the hallway to the only lit corridor in the building. She’d been right. There were people there. Two males and one female by the sound of it. He turned the corner and walked into their lab, interrupting their conversations. 

“Whoa, buddy, are you lost,” the younger of the two men asked.

Leonard rolled his eyes. “She’s hurt,” he told them, taking another step inside the room.

“Then I suggest you take her to a hospital.” The older of the two men told him.

“Look, the last place I wanted to bring her was here, but she said you could help her.” When no one moved, he realized the reason she’d told him to bring her bo-staff, because they’d need proof.  

“She told me to give you this.” He made the condensed staff he’d been holding visible to them.

“Canary.” The woman gasped. “What happened,” she asked as she approached them, placing a hand on her forehead. “She’s burning up. Bring her here.” She led the way to an empty bed.

Finally, Leonard thought. For good guys, they really didn’t act like it. 

“What happened,” she asked again.

“She was stabbed with a poisoned knife two nights ago.”

“You’re just now bringing her here.” She snapped at him. “She could’ve died.”

“You have that talk with her when she’s up and running around.” Leonard kept his voice calm. He didn’t like it when people assumed things. Keeping Sara out of the hospital had not been his idea, and seeing that these people didn’t know who she was under that mask, he finally understood why she hadn’t mentioned this place before.

Caitlin sighed. Knowing the stubborn Canary, she wasn’t surprised it had taken two days for her to concede to help. “Sorry.” Caitlin apologized, shooting Leonard a small smile. She removed the jacket covering Sara, handing it to the man that had brought her in. He slipped it on and stood on the other side of the bed in silence. Caitlin couldn’t believe Canary was lying in front of her unmasked. She’d never allowed them to see her out of her disguise, and she never gave her name, no matter how many times they’d ask. Her only response had been that it wasn’t safe. She turned her patient over to her side and lifted her shirt. “This is definitely infected. Who did the stitching,” she asked.

“I did.” Leonard waited for criticism from the doctor, but none came, and that surprised him. 

“Maybe you should try your hand at being a doctor.” She smiled. The man was intimidating, cold, and showed very little emotion, but she didn’t miss the small glimmer in his eyes before they returned to being icey. 

“I wasn’t dealt those cards.” Leonard’s full attention turned to Sara when he noticed the small tremors. “Sara.” Leonard took hold of her hand as the trembling increased. He knelt down, bringing his face to her level. “Sara. You’re at S.T.A.R. Labs.” He reminded her. 

To Caitlin's surprise, Sara’s movement stopped. This man surprised her. Maybe he had a soft spot for their masked vigilante. She watched him, taking in his softened features. He wasn’t as cold as she’d presumed. Not wanting to get caught staring at the duo, Caitlin focused her attention on cleaning and bandaging the stab wound on Sara’s back. Once finished, she turned Sara on her back. “I have an IV going with some fluids and antibiotics. That should help with the fever and infection. The poison doesn’t appear to be anything strong. It should clear her system soon.” 

Leonard nodded his thanks, finally able to relax. He sat in the chair beside the bed, only now noticing the bed on the other side of the room. “What happened to him,” he asked.

Caitlin turned to look behind her. “He was struck by lightning.”

“How long has he been like that,” he asked.

“Since the particle accelerator exploded.” Caitlin lowered her gaze. A lot of lives had been affected that night.  

Sensing the sudden mood shift, he left it alone. This was not the time to tell the people helping Sara that they’d made a mess of things. 

***^^^***

“Cisco, I need you to get a hold of Canary. This recent Meta has already put three of my best officers in the hospital.” Detective Joe West was in over his head. His job had gotten a lot tougher since the Meta-humans had emerged. They had not been ready when the first Meta had surfaced, and so the Captain had created the Meta-human task force. The task force had not been enough, and thanks to Cisco, they’d gotten some help. He and his team had been pinned down the first time she’d shown up to help them. He couldn’t figure out the need for the wig and mask, but he’d just been grateful for the help. 

“No can do, Joe. She’s not available.” Cisco told him. He’d been hoping they wouldn’t need her while she was healing. She’d looked terrible when she’d been brought in. 

“What do you mean she’s not available,” he asked. He couldn’t recall a time when the vigilante hadn’t been there for them. 

Cisco tilted his head towards the medical room where Barry was and led the way, with Joe following closely behind him.

Joe gasped, pushing Cisco aside and pulling out his gun. “What the hell are you doing here, Snart?” He pointed his gun at the man who had evaded capture for years.

Great. Leonard thought. I just had to owe a hero who happens to be working with not only the people that created the mess they called Metas but a cop too. This is why he didn’t do nice things for people. He should have dropped her off and left. He wouldn’t be in this mess if he had. Fighting a cop had not been on his itinerary for the afternoon. It never was. He avoided them and only interacted with them if he absolutely needed to. But he knew, if it meant freedom or capture, he would do everything in his power to walk out of the facility a free man.

“Leonard Snart, you are under arrest.” Joe took a step toward him. 

“Joe.” The voice halted Joe in his tracks. “Joe put the gun down. He saved my life.”

Joe’s gun did not waver from its position even as his eyes followed the weak voice that came from the bed beside him. “Sara,” he questioned. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“You know her,” both Cisco and Caitlin asked.

“You’re supposed to be dead. Your father, your family, they all think you’re dead.” His gun slowly lowered. “Where have you been? Does your father know you’re alive? Does he know you’re here?” He fired one question after another, Leonard all but forgotten. “Sara, your father didn’t take your loss well.” He moved closer to her, not believing the young Sara he had gotten to know over the years, who’d been dead for over five years, was lying in the bed beside his son. 

“You can’t tell him I’m here, Joe, please,” she begged. “It’s not safe. I’m not safe. They’re better off right now.”

“Sara, your father can take care of himself. Besides, he has the Arrow looking out for him, or have you not heard.” He couldn’t believe it. Sara was alive and well, and her family had no idea. He and Quentin had been friends for years. After Sara’s death, Quentin had hit rock bottom. His wife had left him, moving to Central City. The only positive thing was that it had strengthened their friendship. They spoke more often, and Joe had made a promise to keep an eye on Dinah, Sara’s mother. 

“Joe, you have to believe me; these people make the Arrow look like a boy scout.” She was getting more tired with each passing minute. She was not prepared to have this discussion not while fighting poison and infection. There was a reason she’d kept hidden. She’d wanted to keep her family safe and keep her acquaintances from asking too many questions. 

“What are you into, Sara,” he asked, taking a seat beside her on the bed. “Whatever it is, we can help you. We’ll get outside help if we need to.” He brushed a piece of hair out of her face. 

“Joe, please don’t tell my father I’m here. It’s not safe right now. I’ll explain it all to you, I promise, just not now.” She could feel her eyes getting heavier. 

“Alright, Sara, I won’t say anything.” He could see she was fighting to stay awake so he didn’t push the subject further. He hoped whatever reason she had for not telling her father she was alive was a good one. He knew that if he was in Quentin’s shoes, he’d want to know. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his daughter. “It’s really too bad you’re out for the count. We could’ve really used your help with this fire meta.” He sighed, patting her leg before standing up.

“Leonard.” She mumbled.

Joe’s eyes turned sharply to Leonard. He’d forgotten the man was there with the shock of discovering Sara alive. “That’s another thing we’ll discuss when you’re better.” He promised her. “Don’t think you and I are through Snart. You saved her life, so I will let you go on a pass this time.”

Leonard said nothing. It took everything in him not to make a smart remark. C.C.P.D. had been trying to get him for years, but he was always too smart for them. 

“Leonard can help,” Sara spoke up again.

“I don’t think so.” Leonard was not joining this band of heroes. “I’m no hero.” He added. 

“This will be the only time I say this, but I agree with Snart,” Joe told her.

“Cold gun, give it to him. He can help.” Sara really wished she didn’t feel like death. This would go so much easier. “Joe, trust me.”

Joe looked between Sara and Leonard. He really hoped there was nothing going on there, or he’d have a really long talk with Sara about that too. “Fine, but one wrong move, and I toss his ass in jail.”

Leonard rolled his eyes, as if they could catch him. If he wanted to disappear, he would. “What makes you think I want to help you,” he asked. 

“Len, please.”

Damn this woman. And when did she start calling him Len. Better yet, when did he start allowing anyone other than his sister and Mick to call him by anything other than his full given name. He was trying so hard not to look at her. He knew the minute he did, it was over. He’d see the face of the woman who had saved his sister and almost died in the process. The woman who’d obviously been through hell and was continuing to fight whatever demons that had followed after her. The woman he found himself drawn to against his better judgment. 
 
“Len.” She called out to him again.

He sighed. “Fine, but don’t think this will be a regular thing. Just until you’re out of that bed.”

“Deal.” Sara smiled and settled back in the bed, closing her eyes. The past few minutes having taken their toll on her. 

“So are we doing this,” Cisco asked. He’d been excited at the mention of the cold gun. He’d created it once the Meta’s had surfaced, and they’d dealt with the man who could control water. 

Joe nodded. This was going to end badly. He just knew it. He looked at the man in question. He shrugged in response to his threatening gaze. Joe sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” He started to walk out when he heard Sara talk to Leonard.

“Don’t let anything happen to him, Len.” She whispered. Joe had been like an uncle to her growing up. Coming back had not only allowed her to protect her mother but also Joe and his family. 

Leonard really could care less what happened to Detective Joe West. He was a cop, after all, but he knew if it came down to it and he had to intervene and save him, he would, because she asked. “Get some rest.” He patted her hand and walked out of the room to meet with the rest of the group.

“Here, you’re going to need these.” Cisco handed Leonard a pair of blacked-out goggles. 

Leonard took them, turning them over in his hands. 

“And this baby I like to call the cold gun.” Cisco presented the gun with pride. “The gun mimics the cold of absolute zero. That being said, try not to kill anyone.”

Leonard rolled his eyes and charged up the cold gun. As he’d expected, Cisco backed away with a terrified look on his face while Detective West reached for his gun. Leonard smirked and powered off the gun. He was really going to enjoy messing with these people. “Relax, I told Sara I’d help, so I’m helping.”

“Speaking of that, how long have you known her identity,” Dr. Wells addressed their new temporary team member. 

“Long enough.” They didn’t need to know the details. It was obvious Sara had not wanted them to know who she was. This just added to his debt to her. She’d been forced to reveal herself in order to survive. “What’s the plan.” He changed the subject. 

“Torch.” Cisco paused, really proud of the name he’d come up with. “If he is at absolute hot, which I’m betting he is, then your cold gun should disable him. All you have to do is cross streams with him. And now that I’ve said it out loud, it sounds really wrong.” He grimaced.

Leonard nodded. “I get it. The cold gun being at absolute zero would render him powerless for a short amount of time.” That shouldn’t be too hard, he thought. Having C.C.P.D. not shoot him will be the greater challenge. He really hoped they don't try and take him into custody after he assists them. Otherwise, he’d break any promise he made to Sara because he would do as he’s always done and that is, survive. 

“Exactly,” Cisco said excitedly. He’d thought he’d have to explain the science behind his idea, but it seemed Leonard Snart was smarter than he let on. 

“Let’s get this over with,” Joe said. He really hoped things went as planned. They almost never did, especially with a criminal on the team. He trusted Sara, and she seemed to trust Snart, trust him enough to reveal her identity to him. If she believed Snart would help, then he would give him a chance.

Leonard pulled the hood to his parka up and brought the goggles to cover his eyes. He wanted to mask as much of his identity as he could. If these cops knew who he was, they’d have their guns on him in an instant. All of the officers turned their guns on him when he stepped up behind them. Lucky for him, the officers had not been trigger happy. Otherwise, he was sure he’d have been shot. 

“He’s with me,” Joe told them. 

All guns turned away from him as the Torch directed his attack away from the buildings and onto the officers that had set up the perimeter. Leonard looked around, assessing his options. He normally liked time to plan things. Improvising wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed. “Keep him off of me.” He told Detective West. At Joe’s nod, Leonard moved behind the officers and onto the other side of the perimeter. Detective West must really trust Sara if he didn’t question his plan. 

“Give it up, detective.” Torch yelled as he directed his fire towards him. “This city will soon be mine.”

Leonard was now more determined to get rid of this man. This was his City. He’d be damned if some lowlife with powers would come in and destroy it. Sure he stole, it’s how he’d made enough money to live comfortably, but he’d vowed never to take a life. Allowing this scum to take over would mean death, and death meant an unsafe city which led to less of a population and fewer people to steal from. He just couldn’t have that.

“You can’t stop me, detective.” Torch yelled at the cops, moving closer to them.

Leonard came up behind him just as Torch was within fire range of the officers. “You know,” he said in a bored tone. “You seem like a man who likes to hear the sound of his own voice.”

Troch turned around, directing his aim at his new opponent. “Who the hell are you,” Torch asked, the fire around his hands growing.

“I’m the one that’s gonna ask you to leave this city.” Leonard had promised to help. 

“Or you’ll do what,” he asked, shooting fire toward Leonard. 

Leonard rolled onto the ground away from the stream of fire. “Hard way it is.” He charged the cold gun. He should’ve known the idiot wouldn’t take him up on his offer. He was too cocky. Thought he was all-powerful. He was really starting to dislike this man. “You should’ve left,” he said while aiming the cold gun at Torch.

“And you should’ve stayed down.” 

Two sets of flames came at Leonard. He stepped aside, avoiding both streams, and fired the cold gun. The two streams intersected, causing an explosion. Both Leonard and Torch were thrown several feet back.  

Leonard felt the wind get knocked out of him as he hit the ground hard. “Uhhh,” he groaned. He would definitely feel that in the morning. He opened his eyes in time to see another detective approach him. Perfect, he thought. There was a chance he was not getting out of this one. 

“Eddie, I got him.” Joe approached the pair. 

“You sure,” Eddie wasn’t sure who this man was, but he was really tired of masked vigilantes appearing out of nowhere. He appreciated the help, but the more civilians that put on a mask, the more lives could be put at risk.

“Yeah, I brought him. He’s doing me a favor.”

Leonard couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Maybe he had hit his head harder than he’d thought. 

“Have the fire department douse the Torch down.” Joe then did something he never thought he’d do. He extended an arm out for Snart to take, and to his surprise, he took it. He’d had a terrible feeling about this plan, but it had seemed to go without a hitch. 

“Torch,” Eddie asked. Joe normally hated naming the Metas.

“Don’t ask. I have something to take care of. You good to take over from here,” he asked. 

Eddie nodded. Joe was acting very strange. “Yeah, I got it. I’ll make sure the fire department keeps constant water on him until we can figure out something more permanent.”

Leonard and Joe returned to the lab in silence. Leonard was still annoyed he’d not been prepared for the kick crossing the streams had caused. He liked to plan for every possible scenario. Look at every angle. He walked and pushed the cold gun against Cisco’s chest. “Thanks for the heads up on the kick crossing streams would cause. The gun needs some calibration.” He walked away from the rest of the group to check in on Sara. 

“He was thrown a few feet into a car,” Joe explained. “And he did a good deed. It’s probably not something he’s used to,” Joe whispered the last bit. “How is Sara,” he asked.

“Her fever is almost gone. I’m still treating the infection and the poison.” Caitlin answered.

“Good, good. She has a lot of questions to answer. I can’t believe she’s been alive for the past six years without any of us knowing it. Where has she been? What has she been doing this whole time.” Joe had so many questions. It was killing him not to call his old friend to tell him about his daughter.

“I’m sure, Canary, Sara,” Wells corrected, “I’m sure she has her reasons for keeping her family in the dark.” He had his own reasons for defending the Canary. He had his own secrets. He needed Barry’s speed, and having Canary here to help train him would only speed up the process.

“I hope so.” Joe walked towards where Sara and Barry were. He was going to enter the room when a hand grabbed his arm to hold him back. He looked at Caitlin in question. 

She nodded towards the room. She needed him to watch and not interrupt. She was sure this would be something he needed to see in order to see a side to Leonard that she had seen and wished for others to see too. Especially if they were to keep getting help from Sara and, occasionally, Leonard. “Watch,” she instructed softly.

Joe looked into the room, first at Leonard and then at Sara. Her sleep was anything but peaceful. He watched as the tremors started to worsen. Watched as Leonard leaned closer to the bed, taking hold of Sara’s hand. He could tell he was talking to her even though he couldn’t hear it. To his amazement, she settled down. Sara trusted this man far more than he’d thought. Maybe there was hope for Snart after all. A part of him vowed to try harder. He’d give him another chance, a chance to redeem himself and maybe even be a force of good. He wasn’t going to give him a completely clean slate, but he was willing to cut him some slack, so long as he didn’t go on one of his crime sprees. 

Leonard settled back in his seat, wondering not for the first time what he’d gotten himself into. 

“Hey Snart, I’ve looked this gun over. It doesn’t need any changes.” Cisco brought the gun in question in. He didn’t like that his work was being criticized. He’d gone over every single inch of it. It was in prime shape, one of his best works yet.

Leonard sighed, realizing he’d hurt the young man’s feelings, remembering how sensitive the good guys could be. He stretched out his hand to take the gun from him. He pulled a tray beside him and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small kit.

“You just carry tools around,” Cisco asked, eyeing him carefully, concerned for his baby.

“You never know when they’ll come in handy.” He started taking the gun apart.

“Wait, what are you doing.” Cisco couldn’t believe it. Leonard was stripping the cold gun apart without a care in the world. 

Leonard didn't answer. He continued to take the gun apart, committing to memory where every piece went. He worked in silence, ignoring any inquiries Cisco made. “Here,” he said after some time. “The trigger will pull easier, and the stream will flow better. It should hold a charge longer too.”

Cisco could not believe it. Leonard had taken apart and modified the cold gun in under an hour. Cisco took the gun, looking it over. Everything appeared good on the outside. He couldn’t wait to test it. “Thanks,” He left, taking the gun with him. 

“Be careful, Leonard. People might think you care.” A tired voice spoke from beside him.

He smirked. She was probably right, but there was no way he was going to tell her that. “I see you’re feeling better.”

“Much, thank you for bringing me here. I know you didn’t want to. And thank you for helping Joe.”

“You can stop thanking me. I don’t do touchy-feely.” His words said one thing, but the small smile on his face said another. He appreciated her acknowledgment of his actions. 

She chuckled at this. “It’s the poison talking. Enjoy it while you can.”

“Fair enough, you get a pass, just don’t overdo it.” He gave her a stern look.

“Leonard Snart has a sense of humor,” She teased.

He put a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. 

“Glad to see you’re feeling better.” Joe had been itching to come talk to Sara. He felt he'd waited long enough. He still couldn’t believe this was the same Sara he’d known since she was a kid.

“Thanks, Joe.” She sat up to face him being careful not to irritate the stitches on her back. She knew she wouldn’t be able to go long before she had a chat with Joe. “You want answers.” She already knew the answer to that.

He gave her that look that told her she was correct. 

She sighed. “Obviously, I didn’t die on the Queen’s Gambit, Ollie and I landed on different parts of an island called Lian Yu. We didn’t run into each other for the first year.” She took in a slow deep breath remembering the fear of not knowing if she’d survive the ocean and then landing on the freighter, wearing close to nothing and being handled by large dirty men. The memory made her shudder.

“For the record, I never liked Oliver Queen. First a playboy and now a crook.” Joe looked pointedly at Leonard.

Joe was oblivious to the thoughts swimming in her head. Leonard was aware there was a lot more going on. He shifted his chair closer, leaning in, but not touching her. 

Sara rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore Joes comment. She wasn't about to tell him that the crook he was referring too just gave her the encouragement she needed to continue her story. “I ended up on a transport ship with a man named Anthony Ivo. He was doing some awful experiments, said he was trying to cure his wife. He took me on to be his assistant.” She remembered those first few months like they were yesterday. She dreamt about her time on the ship often. The things she’d helped Ivo do in order to survive, to not be part of the experiments. “I met up with Ollie a while later. He and Slade, another man from the Island had a plan to overtake the ship so we could all come home. It didn’t go according to plan, and Ollie and I got separated again.” 

At this point, Joe and Leonard were not her only audience. Cisco, Caitlin, and Wells were now in the room listening intently. No one said a word, they were afraid any interruptions would cause her to stop, and they were all far too interested in hearing about her past to allow that to happen.

“A woman discovered me near the North China Sea. She took care of me, treated my injuries, and trained me.” Sara wasn’t sure how much information she should share. On the one side, the team knowing about the dangers that followed her would help them remain more vigilant. She wouldn’t have to worry for them as much. And maybe Joe had been right. They could help protect the ones she loved. Maybe she didn’t have to do everything on her own as she’d done for so long. On the other side, they could learn about her past and want nothing to do with her.

“Trained you how,” Joe asked when she didn’t continue.

Joe had always been like family to her, and she hadn’t realized how much she valued his opinion of her. If he hated Leonard for being a thief, how much more would he hate her for being a monster. She sighed, she had to tell him the truth no matter the consequences. “Trained me into becoming who I am today. Ta er al sahfer, the Canary.” She took a deep breath. After what she was about to tell them, she’d understand if they no longer wanted her help or if they viewed her as a monster. “Joe, Leonard being a crook could not compare to some of the things I’ve done. I did some unforgivable things to survive. I’m a killer, Joe. It takes everything in me not to kill the Meta’s I’ve come across. Killing is all I’ve known for years. Failure was never an option. Failure meant death. I’m not the Sara you knew. She’s been gone a long time.  It’s not safe right now for my family to know where I am. I left the league without permission, there is only one way you leave the league, and that is death. They will eventually find me and come after me. I cannot risk my family. The Arrow is watching over dad and Laurel. I’m here to keep watch over mom.” She looked at Joe’s face trying to read him, but he showed no reaction to anything she’d told him. He was more shocked than anything. 

“Sara, we can help protect your family.” Joe reasoned with her. “Your father can defend himself.”

She shook her head. “There is no way you can stop a hundred of me, Joe. They are in the thousands. They will send more people after me. It wouldn’t be long before they won.”

“You were part of THE League,” Dr. Wells said in amazement. He’d heard stories. The League of Assassins were legendary stories he never thought to be true. Nothing solid was ever discovered about their actual existence. 

Sara nodded. 

“League of what,” both Joe and Cisco asked.

“The League of Assassins, an ancient sect of assassins, deadly warriors that killed and vanished like ghosts.” Dr. Wells answered for her. He couldn't believe he'd been working with a member of the League of Assassins this whole time.

“You’re an Assassin,” Cisco asked. “That is so cool.” At everyone’s look of disbelief he shied away. “Right, not the time.”

“Sara, your father would want to know you’re alive. None of what you told me would change his opinion of you. You did what you needed to in order to survive. Please think about it.” He squeezed her hand. “Thank you for telling us. I know it wasn’t easy.” He stood up, the rest of the team taking the hint, it was time to leave her alone. “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you. As have Iris and Barry.” The group walked out slowly leaving Sara and Leonard alone. Joe took one last look at Leonard, and watched as he leaned in further towards Sara. He thought about what he’d just told Sara. She’d done what she needed to in order to survive. It weighed heavy on him to admit that the same scenario applied to the man he’d seen as nothing but a criminal for as long as he could remember. He’d read the history on Leonard Snart, but it wasn’t until this moment that he’d allowed himself to see how it had shaped him and made him the man he was today. A man who’d done what he’d needed to, to survive.

Sara smiled. Being around Joe really made her miss her father. She wanted to tell Joe that her father knew she was alive, but she couldn’t risk him calling her dad and having him find out where she was. It wasn’t safe. She’d wait a little bit longer. After all, she’d already waited years. 

“An assassin, huh,” Leonard asked, quite impressed. He’d known she was a fighter before he’d heard her story. There was a lot she hadn’t told them, like the pain and suffering she’d endured. He had to hand it to her team; not a single one of them seemed to judge her for her past. He’d been watching their reactions as she’d started to reveal dark pieces of her past. He respected them a little bit more seeing that they’d accepted her and her faults.

“Does it make you wish you’d left me in the alley,” she asked. She knew he was no good guy, but even bad guys had a limit. Leonard seemed to have a code, and she wasn’t sure she was on the list of the approved at this point. 

He smiled, letting her know nothing had changed. “You saved my sister’s life, you could have been my archenemy, and I’d have helped you still.”

Sara nodded. Clearly, his sister meant the world to him if he was willing to help his worst enemy. “Thanks, Leonard.”

He gave her another pointed look.

“Right, no feelings, sorry.” She smiled.  

“You’re welcome.” He finally answered. “Now rest up.” He gave her arm a gentle squeeze before relaxing in his chair.  

Sara didn’t argue, while she had started to feel better she could still feel her body fighting off the poison and the pesky infection. A little more sleep couldn't hurt.

***^^^***

Leonard woke up the next morning to find the bed in front of him empty and cold to the touch. He was surprised he hadn’t heard Sara get up. Then again, she was a ninja assassin, being quiet was something she was probably very good at. He sat up and stretched his aching muscles, sleeping in the chair did a number on his body.

“You’re up.” Sara greeted him. Coming into the room looking refreshed.

Leonard did everything in his power not to look her up and down. It appeared that Sara had been up for a while. She’d showered and gotten dressed in pair of skinny jeans, a blue tank top, and a black leather jacket. He cleared his throat. “I must have been more tired than I thought.” It had been three days since he’d gotten any decent sleep. It wasn’t surprising that his body had shut down once he was sure Sara would be okay. 

“My bad,” she smiled at him apologetically. “Wanna get some breakfast? There’s this really awesome hole-in-the-wall place that makes the best pancakes.”

“You seem to be feeling better,” he commented. She was almost chipper. Which was not a word he thought he’d ever use to describe her.

“It helps not having poison in my system. Everything else will heal in time. So breakfast,” she asked, changing the subject.

“Sounds good, but first, bathroom.”

“Right, here.” She handed him a toothbrush she’d brought out for him. “Bathroom is over there.” She pointed to the other side of the room.  

“Where did you,” he pointed to the clothes and then the spare toothbrush. 

“I keep a supply of things hidden in different locations. This place happens to be one of them.”

***^^^***

“I’m assuming your mother doesn’t know you’re alive,” Leonard asked as they sat across from each other at the breakfast place Sara had wanted to go to.

 Sara shook her head in the negative.

“But your father does.” He already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her. 

She stared at him in shock and then realized that if he didn’t already know the answer then she’d just given it away by her reaction.

“I thought so.” He smiled. He’d seen it while she was telling Joe not to tell her father she was alive. There wasn’t a sadness, not the same one as when she’d mentioned her mother and sister. 

“Don’t worry, I won't tell.” He assured her. He thought about how hard it would be for him to keep something like that from Lisa. He wasn't sure he could. He'd never depended on anyone but he'd always known he had his sister. He couldn't imagine how lonely and difficult it must have been for Sara to go at things alone without the the love and support of loved ones for so long.

Their food arrived shortly after, and the two set out to eat in comfortable silence. 

“Maybe we should’ve asked for a bowl.” He watched her in disgust.

“What,” she asked following his gaze. “Oh, you want some,” she asked holding out the syrup to him. 

He shook his head. “Don’t you think you’re overdoing it with the syrup,” he asked. He felt like he was dealing with his sister all over again. Lisa had always been heavy-handed with the syrup. 

“I like things sweet.” Sara shrugged and continued to pour the syrup. Leonard continued to stare. He could understand wanting things sweet, he himself had a sweet tooth but this was overkill. 

Chapter Text

“Lenny, have you heard from Sara,” Lisa asked for the twentieth time that week.  

It had been a little over a week since he’d seen or talked to Sara. Leonard shook his head in the negative. He wished he had, but she stayed hidden. After breakfast, he’d taken her back to the alley where she’d saved Lisa to pick up her bike. With a final thanks and a smile, she’d gotten on her bike and rode off. “Don’t even think about getting into trouble, hoping she’ll come to your rescue.” 

Lisa huffed, taking a seat beside him. “I can’t believe you just let her ride off without getting her number.”

“Why would I need her number,” he asked, already knowing the answer. They’d been over this a dozen times. While he would never say it out loud, he was disappointed in himself for not getting her number.

“Don’t give me that, Lenny. You know why.” She’d seen a connection, and she was sure her brother had felt it, which is why he’d distanced himself and just let her walk out of his life.

“Lisa, we’ve been through this. She was hurt, and she saved your life. Whatever it is you think you saw, it wasn’t real.” The truth was, he’d been thinking about the blonde quite often, but he would definitely not let his sister know that. Since she and Mick had gotten together, she had made it her mission to find someone for him. While her matchmaking had been bad in the past, it was so much worse now. She was determined. And his sister determined was never a good thing.

She let out a dramatic sigh and got up. “Say what you want, Lenny, but I know what I saw.” Her brother could be so stubborn sometimes. “Mick and I are going out.” She kissed the top of her brother’s head as she walked by.  

*****

Leonard spent most of his nights investigating the gang that had attacked his sister. After beating on a few lower-ranking members, he learned of their structure and numbers. The only thing missing was the location. He needed to know the location of the base of their operation before any real planning could begin. He sat at a small diner, back against the wall, staring out the window, thinking of his next step. He was patient. He would wait until the right person came along and find the information he needed by any means necessary. 

“Don’t look so serious.”

He glared, his eyes landing on the stranger who dared to interrupt his alone time. He was surprised to find the blonde that had been on his mind for several days now.

She rolled her eyes at his lack of response. She’d been doing her own research on the gang, which is how she ended up at this diner. “You’ve been leaving quite a trail.” She sat across from him, looking out the same window he was. She looked around for the waitress, but it seemed one wasn’t coming any time soon. Leonard continued his icy glare. “You can drop the glare, Captain Cold. It doesn’t work on me.” She reached across the table, taking his mug out of his hands. He watched in disbelief as she took a long sip. She grimaced. “Hot cocoa, really,” she asked, pushing the mug towards him. She liked hot cocoa, especially with a lot of marshmallows, but she’d been expecting coffee. She hated the shock the different tastes brought on. 

He thought about what she’d called him. He’d grown used to being called cold. He’d learned to mask his feelings at a young age. The captain bit was new. He liked it. “What are you doing here,” he drawled, wrapping both hands around his mug. 

“Same as you, only I’m not leaving a mess behind.” 

“Your point,” he asked, getting impatient. He hadn’t killed anyone, not yet. 

“I have acquaintances.” She offered.

“Cop acquaintances,” he stated matter of factly. He’d already had to work with them once. He wasn’t sure he wanted to work with them again.

Sara smiled. “Yes, the good types of acquaintances, some are cops, the others are scientists, you’ve met both.” She knew he wouldn’t be eager to jump on board with her plan. Since the particle accelerator explosion, crime had spiked in Central City. Humans with impossible abilities were surfacing all around them. Cisco had come to her asking for help. Luckily, she had not had any run-ins where she couldn’t handle the metahumans, and after teaming up with the scientists of S.T.A.R. Labs. She was always able to apprehend the Metas using the gadgets that they came up with. In helping S.T.A.R. Labs, she’d had several run-ins with the local law enforcement and after she saved a few of them, word had spread that she was on their side. She no longer ran when they arrived on scene, instead she assisted in apprehending the offender, and they took them into custody alive. It was a completely different feeling than fighting crime in Starling, but she figured it had a lot to do with the way the Arrow had first started. “They’re good people.”

“I’ve never trusted a cop, never had a good reason to.” The one time he helped Joe didn’t count in his book, he’d done it for Sara. Not because he’d trusted the cops.

“But you trust me,” she asked.

He didn’t answer. A big part of him did trust her, but he was worried that his judgment was clouded because she’d saved his sister, almost dying in the process. He finally nodded, deciding he actually did trust her, even if he’d only known her a short time. 

“I know you want to take down the entire organization, so do I. But we do this the right way, we take them in.” She waited for him to decide. 

“What kind of assassin are you,” he asked. He couldn’t figure out how an assassin could be so against killing. He saw the flash of hurt appear and disappear within half a second. 

She hadn’t been prepared for that. She knew he hadn’t meant it in a way to hurt her but it had definitely hit a sore spot. She sighed. “One that can’t afford to lose what’s left of her soul.”

He hadn’t expected an answer. Though it explained the haunted look he’d seen a few times while she’d been poisoned. He felt like an ass but was not about to apologize. “If they come near Mick, Lisa, or I, the deal is off.”

“Deal.” She smiled, glad to have Leonard on board, now she needed to get S.T.A.R. Labs, and Joe and his team on board.

“Where are you going,” he asked when she stood up.

“I have work to do,” she called out over her shoulder.

He stood up dropping a five-dollar bill on the table. “Don’t think you’re going without me.”

She sighed, “fine, just try and keep up.”

*******

A few days later, Sara returned to S.T.A.R. Labs hoping Cisco had what she needed.

“Wait, you’re working with Leonard Snart,” Cisco asked excitedly. Leonard had been right about the modifications he’d made to the cold gun. He too had a new perspective on the thief. He was extremely intelligent, even if he tried to pass himself off as nothing more than a crook.

“I am, we’re going after the gang that went after his sister and poisoned me.” Sara needed Cisco more than anyone else on this. If anyone could find the location of the gang it would be him. After all, he’d been able to track her down. “Did you find the information I asked for,” she asked changing the subject. She needed to get him focused, she still had to talk to Joe and ask him to get a team together. With the amount of crime that single crew had committed she was sure it wouldn’t be too difficult in getting him on board. The one thing she’d have a hard time convincing him of was allowing Leonard to be a part of the team to take them down. She’d promised Leonard he could be involved as long as he followed her rules and so far he’d done as she’d asked. 

“Of course I did, I’m insulted you even had to ask.” He tapped away at a few more keys and several locations appeared on the map. 

“You’re the greatest, Cisco,” she said squeezing his shoulder.

“Tell me something I don’t already know.” His smile was big. It was always a big deal for him when the masked vigilante had complimented him. In the past, her compliments had been rare and only given in extreme situations. He’d grown to look forward to them. Now that they’d learned the identity of the vigilante and gotten to know her without her mask, the compliments came more frequently and he ate up every single one.

“I’ll need the cold gun.” She was pleased when he didn’t argue, instead, he went and retrieved it for her. “I have to talk to Joe, wish me luck.”

“You’ll need it,” he yelled out after her. 

Sara made her way to Joe’s desk and waited patiently as he finished up his conversation with his daughter. “I need your help,” she told him once he was off the phone.

“Everything okay,” he asked, concern written all over his face. In the time he’d been working with Sara he’d never known her to ask for help. He knew this had to be a big deal. 

“I’m fine, remember the gang I told you about, the ones that stabbed and poisoned me,” she asked waiting for his response. 

He nodded, of course, he remembered, his life had changed just days after. He was very familiar with the gang and their antics. They’d been a big problem for the city for years, but try as they might, they were never able to get enough to shut down the entire operation. Taking down the pawns had never gotten them anywhere.

“We have all of their locations of operation. We want to take them down but there are too many of them, we’ll need help.” She waited for her words to process. She knew they had as his eyes narrowed.

“Who’s ‘WE’ exactly,” he asked, already dreading the answer. 

“Leonard and me.” She waited for him to gather his thoughts.

He sighed. “Sara, it’s a bad idea. I don’t think you should trust him in the way you do, he’s a criminal.”

“Joe please,” she begged. When he shook his head she continued. “Joe compared to me he’s a saint. Please. I know he’s done bad in the past but this is something we are doing together. He wants them out of his city as much as you do. Those monsters were going to take turns raping his sister had I not been there. If we don’t stop them then they’ll continue to terrorize the city. We can’t let them.”

“Sara, I’m all about taking them down, but I don’t agree that he be allowed to join. As you said, they went after his sister, what’s to keep him from going rogue and killing the gang members before we can apprehend them.”

“Because he gave me his word.” That’s all she’d needed. If Leonard told her he wouldn’t then she trusted him, she’d had no reason not to. If he didn’t keep true to his word, then she’d take care of it.

“Sara.” Joe started again.

“I trust him, Joe, I’ll keep an eye on him. He needs to be a part of this, I can’t ask him to sit this out,” she pleaded.

Joe sighed, once again, relenting. It would’ve been much easier saying no to Sara if she’d been in her Canary costume and he’d not known her identity. “Fine, but he’s your responsibility.” He really hoped he didn’t regret his decision later.

“Seriously,” Sara asked, she’d had so many arguments prepared. She couldn’t believe Joe had agreed so easily.

“Yes, now go, before I change my mind.” He was still getting used to seeing her without her mask.

She smiled at him. “Thanks, Joe.” She gave him a quick hug before disappearing. She needed to get with Leonard and let him know the news, luckily they’d exchanged numbers so she no longer had to track him down. She sent him a quick message asking him to meet at a nearby diner. 

*****

Leonard slipped into the booth, sitting across from her. “What’s the plan,” he asked, straight to the point.

“Hello to you too Lenny.”

He rolled his eyes, he really hated when she called him that, what he hated more was the fact that the glare he was directing at her seemed to have no effect whatsoever. “Hello Sara, how was your day, do anything fun, what’s the plan,” he asked one question after another, ending with the only one he cared to hear an answer for.

It was Sara who rolled her eyes this time. “You’re no fun. Cops will need a day or so to get the manpower needed to take down the entire gang and get the paperwork necessary to make everything stick. The operation is larger than we originally thought, and Joe doesn’t want anyone getting out and relocating their business.”

Leonard thought about this for a minute. He reminded himself once again that he was a patient man. He could wait a few more days if it meant they were all taken down. He finally nodded, accepting the terms. “Detective West knows of my involvement,” he asked. He did not want to be kept out of this. That had been his deal with Sara.

Sara nodded. “Yeah, I talked to him. You, he’s fine with. I’m not sure about Mick, though. He might be a bit more reckless.” 

Leonard nodded. “I’ll talk to Mick, something tells me it’ll take some convincing, but he’ll sit this one out if the right person asks him to.”

“You mean Lisa,” she asked. She wanted to laugh at the look on his face. It was obvious that Leonard was not used to being caught off guard. “I have eyes. It was apparent to me even with poison coursing my system.” 

Leonard should’ve figured she’d know. She was an observant ninja assassin, after all. “So what now,” he asked. A part of him wanted to spend more time with the blonde. Though he’d never tell Lisa she was right, deep down, he’d felt a pull to her and wanted to see what that pull was.

“Now, we eat. I’m starving.” She picked up the menu looking through it, ignoring his intense gaze. Leonard finally conceded. He wasn’t going to get much more out of her.

“Oh, that reminds me,” she tells him once they’ve ordered. “I got you something.”

Leonard’s eyebrows shot up. He had not been expecting anything.

“This is only temporary while you’re helping.” She brought up the Cold Gun and pushed it across the table. She hoped that with it, he’d be willing to stick around. Maybe even help her out. It would be nice not having to do everything alone. Since she’d come out as Sara Lance to her team, she’d been able to connect more. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed that until recently. It was nice being able to relax and be a normal person instead of always being alert and emotionless, which is how the team at S.T.A.R. Labs had come to see her.

“Only while I’m helping,” he questioned, turning the gun over in his hand once before putting it beside him in the booth.

Sara nodded. “Yes, this time or any other time.” Sara knew she wasn’t being very subtle, but she didn’t care. She wanted him around more often. 

“Sara.” He said her name in a singsong. “If you want to spend time with me, you don’t have to bribe me. Just ask.” He smiled, his eyes mischievous.

Sara thought about joking it off but realized she didn’t want to. She did want to spend more time with him, not just when saving the city. She reached across the table, placing a hand on his arm. “Leonard, would you spend time with me outside of fighting crime and stealing precious gems,” she smiled, squeezing his arm.

“Why, Sara, I thought you’d never ask.” His answer came in a typical Leonard drawl. He used his free hand to cover hers. The pair smiled and stared into each other’s eyes until they were interrupted by the waitress bringing their food. 

They finished the rest of their meal in comfortable silence, occasionally breaking it to point out an odd-looking individual passing outside the diner. Leonard dropped money on the table before Sara even reached for her wallet. 

“Gotta be quicker than that Assassin.” He smiled.

Sara rolled her eyes. She was sad to see the night come to an end. She didn’t have much time to dwell on that, though, as her phone rang. “Yeah, Cisco.” She greeted. 

“Sara, thank god. We have a meta that can stretch downtown. He’s giving the cops a hell of a time.” 

Leonard watched on in interest. If Cisco was calling, it meant they had a meta-problem, which meant his evening with Sara would have to come to an end. He looked up in surprise when he heard Sara telling Cisco they’d be on their way. As in the two of them.

“Wait, what do you mean we? Is Leonard with you, Sara,” Cisco asked one question after another. 

“Bye, Cisco.” She said disconnecting her phone.

“Wanna try your gun out on a guy who stretches himself,” she asked, already knowing the answer by the excitement she saw in his eyes. “That’s what I thought. We’ll have to swing by S.T.A.R. Labs first. You’ll need comms.” 

While Cisco supplied Leonard with the comms, Sara changed into her Canary disguise. “Ready,” she asked, pulling on her gloves. 

“Always.” Leonard placed the goggles on his forehead, indicating he was done. 

“Let’s go be good guys.” She teased as he rolled his eyes. Sara enjoyed teasing him, especially about being a hero.

The two arrived on scene not long after. The scene was chaotic. The officer’s perimeter kept getting penetrated by one of the meta’s extremities. Thankfully Leonard had the hood to his parka up and the goggles on. It kept him disguised from the officers. Sara could only imagine the look of panic if the officers thought they had two criminals to subdue. 

“Captain Cold, get the hostages out, I’ll distract him.” 

For a split second, Leonard looked at her in confusion. He hadn’t planned on that being his alias or having one at all, but it was probably a good idea. He didn’t think the cops would take kindly to a criminal with a gun helping them. He nodded.

Sara turned to a couple of officers. “Help him get to the hostages,” she instructed before running off towards the meta. Distracting the meta was a lot harder than Sara had expected. She was thrown against a patrol car more than once. She waved off the officers as they tried to help her up. “Get the civilians.” She ran back into the fight. She waited for the civilians to be cleared out from one section before pulling out her sonic device and using it against him. The high-pitched wail only seemed to slow him down before she was once again thrown against a car. She groaned, getting up.

“Cisco, he’s elastic, right,” Leonard asked through the comms.

“Yes, basically,” Cisco answered quickly, thrilled to be involved in the rescue.

“What are you thinking,” Sara asked.

“What happens to a rubber band when you freeze it,” Leonard asked.

“You’re a genius Captain Cold,” Cisco said excitedly. “I mean, Leonard.” He caught what he’d said and was in fear that the meta would not be the only one getting iced. 

Sara smiled, once again glad to have Leonard by her side. “Okay, Len, I distract. You punch.”

“Gladly,” he said while charging up his cold gun.

“Sergeant, have your officers fall back,” Sara yelled to the sergeant in charge. Immediately he had his men fall back with the rest of the civilians safely behind them. “Hey, long limbs,” Sara yelled, running towards the Meta. 

“Long Limbs, really,” she heard Cisco question. “This is why we leave the naming to me.”

“Shut it, Cisco.” Sara didn’t remember there being this much chatter when he was terrified she’d snap him in half. 

“Back for more,” the meta asked. “You can’t stop me, so you may as well give up.” He extended an arm towards Sara, trying to swat her away like a fly. Sara continued to jump over his arms, running in a wide circle forcing him to chase after her. She made sure Leonard was clear of the impact area before using her sonic device again. The moment it slowed him down, Leonard came from the side, shooting his cold gun. A minute later, the meta was laid out on the ground, unable to move. 

“Thank you, both of you.” The sergeant approached the duo shaking each of their hands. “I don’t know how we’d do without you sometimes. I’m just glad you’re on our side. Cisco suggested a cold storage unit. We’re having one set up. Do you mind keeping him iced until then?” His last question was directed at Leonard. 

Leonard looked to Sara in surprise before nodding at the sergeant.

“Thank you, son.” The officer patted his shoulder before walking away to give instructions to his officers.

“Shut it,” Leonard said before Sara had a chance to open her mouth.

“What,” she asked in disbelief. “I wasn’t going to say anything.” She waited a second before adding. “Son.” She smiled as she, too, patted his shoulder. 

It was an hour later before they finally left the scene. The meta had been put into a cold meat truck when Leonard’s phone started ringing. He’d seen several text messages from his sister and assumed this was her. “Lisa,” he said in way of greeting. He was sure he knew what this was about. Lisa would give him an ear full for helping cops and not telling her.

“You’re with Sara, and you said nothing,” she squealed into the phone. 

“That’s why you called,” he asked in surprise. He was supposed to be a criminal. He wasn’t sure how Mick and Lisa would take his sudden second job, so to speak. He moved the phone to his other ear as Sara started walking beside him.

“Yes, why else would I call, I saw you on the news,” she exclaimed, completely overlooking that he’d helped put away a meta. “All this time, I’ve been telling you to reach out to her because there was something there even though you denied it, and you’ve been with her, and you haven’t said a thing to me, just leaving me here to worry about you.” She rambled on. 

Sara smiled, tapping her ear, the same ear he had the phone pressed to. 

Leonard groaned. The comms, how did he forget about them. The smirk on Sara’s face said she’d heard everything. He’d moved the phone to the other side to make sure Sara didn’t hear his sister’s squeals, but he had only made her words clearer for Sara to hear. “Lisa, now is not the time. We’ll talk later.” When she continued to chatter on, he said goodbye and disconnected. “Don’t.” He gave Sara a warning look. 

“What, I wasn’t going to say anything.” She pretended to be hurt.

Leonard shook his head, not believing her.

“So Len, is there something here,” she asked later as they were leaving S.T.A.R. Labs.

He looked at her trying to figure out if she was teasing him or if she was being serious. “I don’t know. I’ve never allowed for anything to be there, with anyone, nothing serious anyway.” He answered honestly. 

Sara thought about his answer for a second. She didn’t want to rush into anything. They both had a lot of baggage. Taking things one day at a time seemed like a good idea. “Patrol with me tomorrow night,” she asked instead.

He nodded, appreciating her not making a big deal of things. He had enough of that from his sister.