Mr. Popular

[run_barry]

Since the lightning strike Barry has been learning all sorts of things. One big one is that having friends is great.

People to not only care about him and trust him, but also just to hang out with. Fellow nerds who can get behind doing ridiculous things like playing table tennis, Operation and chess all at once and call it "hero training". These were the kind of people he'd spent his whole life looking for without even realizing it.

On a day off from work at the CCPD, Barry has a chance to ruminate on these facts while spending time at S.T.A.R. Labs with his peeps. Even Dr. Wells is in on the fun and it's almost a disappointment when the geek triathlon has to be called on account of an alert coming in about an armored car heist.

Dr. Wells calls 'checkmate' and Barry dons the suit, leaving Cisco, Caitlin and Wells behind to monitor from the Cortex.

*****

Barry thwarts the heist, but in the process one of the truck's guards is shot and Barry has to choose between chasing the bad guys or getting the injured man to the hospital.

It's no choice at all.

By the time Barry is in street clothes and arrives back at the truck it's already a crime scene and Captain Singh is calling for him.

"Sorry, Captain," Barry apologizes, exchanging a look with Joe who's been assigned to the case. "I was at the hospital… visiting a friend."

The lame excuse turns into an awkward exchange with Barry almost giving away knowing too much. Thankfully Captain Singh is more nonplussed than suspicious and he leaves Joe and Barry to it.

"For somebody so fast you're real slow on the improvising," Joe comments, then drops his voice. "Did you see anything that could help us catch these guys?"

Barry does a quick glance around, then gives Joe a smile. "Yeah, one of them lost his mask. I saw his face."

*****

A superspeed flip through a mugshot book back at the precinct allows Barry to identify the thief he saw trying to rip-off the armored truck. Leonard Snart; a career criminal who's been fleecing Central City and getting away with it for awhile now.

Joe is none too thrilled by the I.D. He's even less thrilled by the arrival of Iris, still not pleased with the recent announcement that her and his partner are now dating.

Barry wisely keeps out of it, letting Joe go and have his space while heading upstairs with Iris; listening as she bemoans the situation.

When Barry can't give her full support on the Joe situation (because, well… reasons) Iris hops off of it quick to instead announce that she's started a blog.

Amused, Barry asks, "What's it about, your brownie obsession? Because you know you probably shouldn't broadcast that out."

"No, something important," Iris replies, and Barry can see her bubbling with excitement. "Something Central City needs to know about; The Streak."

Listening, he's ready to encourage her on, but instead his expression falls and his eyes widen.

"He's out there, Barry." Iris assures him.

Barry does his best to scoff, picking up the pace towards his lab, trying to outwalk the conversation.

Iris persists and even as he tries to pose an argument, Barry knows he's not going to win this against her. He needs help, but Barry's not expecting the voice who speaks up to lend it.

"I can vouch for that."

The words are in support of a statement Barry makes about internet trolls, spoken by the blond woman in glasses standing in his lab. Barry is caught in his tracks by her smile and she goes on to say, "The internet is full of weirdos, and nerd rage. Lots and lots of nerd rage."

*****

Felicity Smoak.

It's been months since Barry's seen her, since before the lightning strike. His adventure with her and Oliver back in Starling City feels like an honest lifetime ago.

Walking along with Felicity through the park Barry's a bit surprised at how easy it is to be around her, even if he can't help wondering why she's here.

"Iris seems very nice," Felicity comments, her heels clicking on the path as they walk along. "And really pretty, like, super pretty. Congratulations."

Barry glances up, befuddled by the comment and compliment. "Well-- Iris isn't my girlfriend. She's-- just a friend. Who actually has a boyfriend."

"Oh, that's… interesting, I guess."

That statement is just as perplexing and Barry pauses, turning around to face her and ask the question on his mind. "What are you really doing here? I mean, it's good to see you, but do you and Oliver need something?"

It seems the most likely reason, right?

Felicity shakes her head, her smile a shade shy, maybe embarrassed, as she admits, "No, no, I came because I wanted to see you. I-- I heard you were out of the coma. Didn't call, didn't write, didn't-- race… over."

Well the implication in those words and the meaningful expression she gives him seems pretty clear.

Eyes widening, Barry glances around then looks back at her.

"Oliver told you?"

"Honestly I heard you two talking on that rooftop in Starling City that night," she admits.

She wants to see his speed, and after having to hide it from most people Barry is more than pleased for the opportunity to show it off now.

The stunt ends in clear amazement from Felicity, and smoking sneakers. Stamping out the fire, Barry waves it off and takes the opportunity to share even more with her.

"That's fine, it happens sometimes. That's why I have a friction-proof suit."

"Where'd you get that?" Felicity asks, and Barry takes her hand.

"I'll show you."

*****

Barry can't contain his excitement as he gives Felicity a tour of S.T.A.R. Labs, and she is all over impressed.

Finding out that she's met Cisco and Caitlin before makes things even better.

Caitlin has some apprehension over sharing too much with Felicity, but Felicity is easy with assurance.

"I'm really good at keeping secrets," Felicity promises.

Barry grins, adding to that, "Yeah, Felicity works with the Arrow."

"And you apparently are not," Felicity replies, turning on Barry with some admonishment.

Cisco is stoked, excitedly saying, "Now it's all making sense, you know who the Arrow is." A thought dawns, and he turns to Barry, "Wait… do you know who the Arrow is?"

After the chiding from Felicity Barry does his best to deny the question, which he doesn't do very well, so Felicity steps in.

"Well, let's just say my team has a similar setup, but with… more pointy objects."

Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Wells. He greets Felicity by name and she looks about as science-star-struck as Barry felt when he first had the opportunity to meet the man.

Barry stands by elated, and a touch smug, by all these events. Clearly this is the best day ever and Barry feels an opportunity here to show off.

"Wanna see something cool?" he asks Felicity, who is all for it.

[dialogue taken from episode 1.4]