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"What brings the Flash to a place like this?" a woman asked.
"Same thing as you, I imagine, Batgirl," Barry said. She laughed and gestured at the chair next to him.
"May I?"
"Please."
"It really is an excellent costume," she said. "Could even be the real thing."
"I'm a scientist," Barry said. "I dabble in a lot of things. I like yours too."
"Thank you," she said. "It was harder to think of a woman who wears a mask than I was expecting."
"Well, I'll be sure to let the Justice League know next time I see them." Barry winked and she laughed again.
"What is a nice young man doing sitting all alone at a big party?"
"I'm not good with big crowds," Barry said. "My wife went to call our nephew about something and I am waiting for her to get back. She's in a Batgirl costume too."
"Your wife?"
"She's wonderful," Barry said. "Iris, she's wonderful. I am so lucky she chose me."
"It sounds like you love her very much."
"I do. Are you here with someone?"
"My grandson is around here somewhere. My husband died. A long time ago now."
"I'm sorry," Barry said.
"He was an incredible man," she said. "I miss him every day, but I'm very proud of him and his choices. Perhaps this isn't the best conversation for a party."
"I asked."
"Do you think your wife would mind if I asked you for a dance?"
"Oh," Barry said. "No, I'm sure- That would be fine. I would be honoured. I'm not a particularly good dancer, I have to warn you."
"Neither was my husband, I can take the chance. I'm used to avoiding being stepped on."
"In that case."
Barry stood and offered her his hand. She smiled as she took it and he led her to the floor. A few others were waltzing, and Barry placed his hands in the appropriate place and began to sway.
Something about this seemed so familiar.
"It's been a long time since I've danced," she said. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Barry said.
They swayed a little more, until a boy in a costume Barry couldn't place with a mass of hair rushed up to them.
"Grandma, we should probably go," he said. He looked up at Barry and froze.
"That's not one I know," Barry said, nodding at his costume.
"It's just mine. Grandma."
"I'm coming, dear," she said. "Thank you for a wonderful dance, Barry."
"It was my pleasure," he said. "I don't remember telling you my name."
"Maybe I heard it earlier."
"Maybe. I do know your costume."
"I made it up," he said. "It's not-"
"Impulse," Barry said. "It was years ago, before, you are Impulse, aren't you?"
"You've met me before?"
"You said that was time travel," Barry said. "You're my grandson, but if you're Bart then you-"
"Barry!" his Iris called and Barry turned around.
By the time he turned back the two of them had gone.
"Who was that you were dancing with?" Iris asked, leaning against him.
"I think it was you," Barry said. "From the future."
"Oh. So I leave you for five minutes with all these people to talk to and you still manage to only talk to me."
"You're such excellent company, why would I ever need to talk to anyone else?"
Iris kissed him and took his hands.
"Dance with me?" she asked.
"I'd love to."