Description: Alternative universe in which Harry Wells becomes the Flash

AN: Hopefully, I will manage to keep it completely AU, pulling from canon only a tiny bit and when necessary and not enough to make this boring LOL Also, I'm adding surprising powers and villains to the mix.

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After months of hard work and countless hours spent in the Labs, they could finally take a break as all the preparations for the particle accelerator to go online were finished; the official launching party happening in a few days. Yet, once their boss, dr. Harrison Wells, relayed the news in the morning, they still stayed at work, by now so attached to one another that they seemed to have become an actual family. For Caitlin Snow right now there really wasn't any other place she'd like to be, working for S.T.A.R. Labs always being her dream job and dr. Wells the best boss she could've asked for. Well, if only it did end on that, she thought with a sigh when cleaning up her work place, preventing the moment she would actually have to leave and figure out what she would do the next few days. Or maybe the bigger problem was actually figuring out another project she would like to work on. Harrison assured them all that after the success of launching the particle accelerator they would have the occasion to present him with their own suggestions for further research and Caitlin was very excited about that. At least until she hit a wall, not able to figure it out. And it wasn't even because she wasn't smart enough to come up with something. In fact, she was brilliant and that was the reason to why she'd been hired in the first place. No, the problem was the person of her boss, the man she'd grown so attached to those past few months that… she actually developed feelings for him. It was truly killing her, because despite him obviously being fond of her, she couldn't possibly tell if he felt the same way or not. Or maybe the lack of action from his side should give her an answer. Though she wasn't sure she liked it.

She knew she should just stop thinking about him, but every time she tried it only got worse because she couldn't help but marvel at his genius, the depths of his love for science and the way he cared for them all. Ok, well, maybe that last one wasn't entirely true. He cared, he did, but only about the people closest to him, which included her. To the rest of his employees he was actually a jerk. In fact, most of the times he acted that way even towards Barry and Cisco, but the guys were used to it by now and thought nothing of it, usually teasing their boss just because they knew they could get away with it. He had a fond spot for the two guys and for Caitlin as well, never actually being mean to her but always warm and despite some occasional gruffness she always seemed to reach him. Still, maybe not enough.

She sighed when biting on her lip and packing some stuff into her bag that she was to take with her home. She truly needed to work on her research proposition, but for now she would head to the Labs' cafeteria for lunch, sure she'd find her best friend there. Misery loved company, right?

She finally gathered everything up and left her lab, looking behind at the room with nostalgia. She was really happy that the work on the accelerator was finished, but she was also apprehensive of the future. She knew that after the launch the team they had managed to form so far wouldn't be working so closely anymore with Cisco and Barry moving on to technology and physics and herself leaning towards biochemistry. Which also meant so much less time in the company of her boss…

She sighed, telling herself she had to be strong-headed, because pining after he own boss never ended well. As she was walking down the corridor, immersed into her own thoughts, she nearly collided with someone and then realized it was Ronnie. Great, she nearly huffed. Because that was just what she needed!

He didn't disappoint when immediately smiling brightly at her and asking whether she wanted to go somewhere to celebrate tonight.

"You never give up, do you?" she just sighed, so tired of saying no.

"Never," he assured her with a smile as he watched her go.

Her heart started beating faster as she spotted Harrison walking towards her from the opposite side and just as she predicted, he smiled to her – it did not miss her attention that she seemed to be the only person he smiled to around here – and came to a stop.

"Fantastic job on the accelerator, Snow. Are you heading off home or out celebrating?" he asked.

"Actually, I'm on my way to the cafeteria," she answered him with an equally broad smile. She just couldn't help it in his presence. Though she needed to be careful not to stare too much because she could easily drown in his azure eyes.

"You know," he said then after what seemed like a slight moment of actual hesitation, "maybe you should say yes for a change. Who knows, you and Ronnie would look good together."

Caitlin stilled, cursing inwardly, her good mood evaporating completely. Maybe what she really should do was quit her job and run far away from Harry – only she, Barry and Cisco could get away with calling him that – and try to salvage whatever was left of her heart and sanity.

Instead, she just pulled herself together and said, "I don't… I don't like Ronnie that way, so why force it?"

"What's not to like? He's nice and smart and your age," dr. Wells still pointed out, sticking his hands into the pockets of his ever-present black jeans.

"You do realize you've just described hundreds of men in this country, do you?" she did her best to sound normal, but inside she was screaming. She didn't mind at all that Harry was so many years her senior, in fact it was a good thing, if someone asked her. She liked his experience that could only come with age and he was actually so good-looking that she wondered whether he was even real. Because she'd actually seen once the pictures from his youth and right now he was so much more handsome than then.

"I wouldn't go as far as assuming all those single men are smart," he teased her just then with another smile.

"You know, I see a single and genius standing right in front of me and still can't figure out why that is."

"Why am I a genius?" he asked, a foreign note suddenly appearing in his voice.

"No, why you're single," she dared say and immediately felt flushed all over.

She did notice his pupils dilating as he heard her say that and his mouth was already opening when… her phone beeped, damn it!

"Sorry," she quickly apologized, fishing that stupid device from her bag. What a moron invented them anyway!

"Don't let me keep you occupied. Have fun at lunch!" she heard Harry say quickly and then he was just gone. In fact, as she thought of it some more, still stupefied by his sudden exit; he did that a lot. He was always in a hurry, always running towards something. All their conversations started all nice and in the end he always retreated and she could never quite figure out why that was.

Maybe she would never figure dr. Harrison Wells out. Was he a declared bachelor? Was he married to science or maybe there'd been someone in his life that successfully shattered his heart? Maybe she would never find out.

So instead of thinking about that some more, she walked into the cafeteria in an even worse mood than she'd been before she ran into him.

"Someone's in a bad mood," Barry pointed out when Caitlin put her food tray and the coffee cup on the table before falling into a free chair next to him.

"You don't look so good yourself. Is this because of that pretty barista you can't seem to ask out?" she answered him back, feeling prickly.

"Hey! That stung!" Barry bristled. "Besides, I lost my chance. She's a not a barista anymore, so not as easy to approach. She started working for the CC Picture News."

"A reporter? Nice!" Caitlin approved. "I bet she'll be at the accelerator launch."

"And I bet you'll be the one standing next to Harry on that stage," Barry told her and she shot him a look. "What?" he asked. "You're the one he trusts the most."

"Yeah…" she grumbled when reaching for her coffee.

"Who knows, maybe he'll finally ask you out," Barry suggested and she almost spat the coffee out.

"Barry, be serious! I have as much of a chance at being asked out by him than you have of approaching that girl."

"Ah, then maybe we should change that," he suddenly suggested, leaning forward in his seat. "I'll make you a deal. I will go and find Iris West in the crowd of those reporters and I will ask her out. And you won't let Harry run."

"Run?"

"Oh, you know I mean! Dude's always in a hurry after you two are left alone."

"Maybe he just can't stand my company," she joked.

"Or maybe he's head over heels for you, which is not surprising by the way, and he just thinks he can't be good enough for you."

"Yeah, right," Caitlin snorted at that.

"Hey, Cait, I'm serious. Cisco and I have been making bets…"

"You've been doing what?!" she raised her voice slightly just then, feeling appalled.

"Can you blame us?! You two have been staring at each other for weeks!"

"Oh my God, is it that obvious when I look at him?" Caitlin seemed terrified. "You think he's figured everything out?"

"You're not listening," they suddenly heard a third party and looked up to see Cisco joining them. "I'm pretty sure Barry said that the both of you are making googly eyes at each other and quite frankly, it's disturbing. Just go for it already!"

"Yeah, right and that is exactly why Harry just suggested I should go on a date with Ronnie," Caitlin informed sarcastically.

"He really did that?" Barry asked with a frown.

"Yep. Right after he told me there are plenty of nice men my age around… oh, God, he does know!" Caitlin groaned, hiding her face in her hands, her meal abandoned as she suddenly lost her appetite. "This is so humiliating!"

Barry and Cisco exchanged glances.

"I think I've figured it all out," Cisco spoke and Caitlin lifted her head to look at him. "He thinks he's not good enough for you because of the age difference."

"Or he's been single for way too long," Barry threw his idea to the pile. "I heard rumors that he got rejected once by a woman he was in love with, so maybe he's also insecure."

"Yeah," Cait snorted again when finishing her coffee. "Why would a handsome, accomplished and brilliant man be insecure about anything?"

"The world is a strange place," Cisco declared when sticking fries into his mouth one by one.

It was, indeed, Caitlin Snow thought the night of the particle accelerator launch. There was huge lightning storm heading their way, but it wouldn't stop them. The weather could not intervene anyway as the accelerator was located an actual level below the Labs.

What seemed truly strange, though, was that Barry's words actually came true and Harry did call Caitlin to his side the moment she arrived, telling her he needed her there during the press conference for some emotional support.

Well, she would gladly let him know she could be that kind of a support for him for the rest of his life, but she didn't, obviously; instead just walking right by his side when they were heading to the door that opened into the main atrium.

"Ready?" she asked him with a smile, not able to hide her true emotions as she took into the handsome sight of him in an actual black suit. He wasn't a typical boss when it came to his attire nor behavior. He usually just wore black jeans and black sweaters or hoodies, being mean and gruff towards his employees who usually just preferred to get out of his way, but he treated those closest to him like the family he didn't have. Caitlin knew his parents had died young, leaving him a pretty impressive inheritance with which he'd funded S.T.A.R. Labs, dedicating his life to science. The rumor Barry had mentioned a few days before seemed to be true as Caitlin found out there had been a woman in Harry's life, but she'd actually rejected him when choosing someone else. Could it be where his insecurity came from? She wondered. Or maybe he was just one of those men who preferred to stay single and enjoy life. Though he didn't seem to go out that much, if at all, just rather stay in his lab, working on another invention.

"Are you all right?" She came to a sudden stop when he asked her that, the door right in front of them.

"Yeah. Yes, I am." She managed to compose herself as she looked up into his eyes, again seeing more there. Maybe she really should follow Barry's advice and say something. The worst that could happen would be her forced to move on. Maybe that was better than daydreaming and wondering. "Harry, can I ask you something?" she suddenly said before she would change her mind.

"Anything, Snow," he assured her in a husky voice that rattled her. Because she loved the sound or it and truly, every time he said her name, he sounded so seductive that her knees went weak.

She was already opening her mouth and making a step forward and he actually smiled, his eyes lighting up when… the door opened and someone informed they were about to start.

Harry smiled to Caitlin apologetically before walking through it.

The conference was a resounding success and once they were all back in the cortex, ready to celebrate after Harrison pushed the button and initiated the launch, Caitlin caught Barry's eyes across the room. He winked at her and then smiled brightly, so she truly hoped he would seek Iris West out after this was over. For now, she looked back at Harry who just happened to be looking at her as well and in a way he hadn't seemed to before. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she felt color hitting her cheeks when…

There was a loud bang.

And everything went to hell.

People started screaming and panicking as they quickly made a dash for the exit.

Caitlin was just about to follow Cisco and Barry out the building as well when she spotted Harry walking in the opposite direction.

"What are you doing?!" she got to him before her friends managed to stop her and she grabbed his arm. He seemed surprised at the sudden touch, but still told her calmly, "I need to shut it down, Snow."

"What? No! It's too dangerous! You can't!" she protested, trying to pull him towards the exit when Ronnie suddenly got to them.

"I know how. I can help! Let's go!" he offered.

"Harry, no!" Caitlin protested and his blue eyes settled on her again, some kind of a shadow of understanding suddenly passing through his expression and for a moment everything stood still as their eyes locked together.

"Dr. Wells, there's no time! We have to go now!" Ronnie yelled and that seemed to wake him up.

"Caitlin, I have to," he eventually told her, briefly covering her hand on his arm with his own and she felt sparks there. Next, he removed her hand gently and gave it a little squeeze before finally letting it go and turning away from her.

"Cait! We have to go now!" Barry got to her just then and when she turned back she realized he was the only one beside her that was still left in the cortex.

"What if he gets hurt?!" She started panicking, looking at her best friend. The fact that he was risking everything by staying behind just to take her back with him meant a lot, but that was what best friends did, right? They'd known each other for a very long time, befriending in college before they even met everyone else. They always stuck together, being each other's support. Cisco didn't join them until they started working for dr. Wells.

"It's Harrison Wells. I'm sure he knows what he's doing," Barry assured her."Let's go!"

She hesitated before finally nodding and following him to the corridor and then to the fire escape. Only once she put her foot on the first stair, she heard a loud rumble again, an echo of another explosion and she looked back. Her common sense told her to get out of the building, but her heart was pulling her in the opposite direction.

With the third and loudest bang, she ran back inside, registering the sudden and terrible silence that followed and the smoke that seemed to be everywhere now. She heard Barry's voice calling her from the distance, but she ignored it. She just needed to find Harry. She needed to make sure he was all right…

She found him by sheer accident and in the worst way possible.

She was running, not seeing anything, but still moving forward. She called his name again and then started coughing violently because of all the smoke until…

She stumbled over something and lost her balance, falling down to the floor painfully, her breath knocked out.

Only then she realized that that something was a body.

"Oh, no," she murmured, ignoring the pain in her body in places where it collided with the floor. "Please, God, no…"

She could barely see, so she needed to use her hands and she stilled when she touched what seemed to be an arm. She trailed it up to the person's neck, feeling a fabric of a suit underneath her fingers and then she buried her hands in soft hair.

The moment she finally managed to turn him to his back and cup his face, she immediately screamed his name, recognizing this person for her boss.

"Harry! Harrison!" she kept on calling his name, still holding his face in her hands as though it was the most precious thing. And it was, damn it! It was! "Harry, please, wake up!" She quickly straddled his body, not even registering the position as she leaned forward, checking his pulse and then immediately proceeding to CPR. "You are not dying on me today!" she screamed when massaging his heart. She next opened his mouth and blew some air into it and went back to the heart massage. "You hear me?! Come back! Harry! HARRY!"

The smoke cleared a bit and she could see him clearer. Eyes closed. Body immobile. Hair and his suit all grey from the dust.

"Harry! Come on! Come on!" She blew the air into his lungs again. Her arms were already aching, but she would not stop. She would go on until she herself collapsed.

That was how Barry found her.

"Cait!" he screamed her name and then he was on the floor right by her side. "Oh, God. How can I help?" he offered and she truly felt like crying because the fact that he'd actually followed her into the ruble and risked his life for her was too much.

"I can't… I can't do this anymore…" she sobbed, still massaging Harry's heart.

"It's ok. I'm taking over," Barry immediately offered and pushed her out of the way.

She truly didn't have any strength left, too traumatized, too tired. Inside she was a whirlwind of emotions, her throat felt like sandpaper and she couldn't seem to catch a breath, all the crying and tears not helping at all.

And then, just when she thought she would pass out, she heard the most amazing sound in the world.

Harrison took a breath.

Barry collapsed right next to her, exhausted, still pulling his arms around her, though, to provide her comfort.

"Thank you. Thank you so much…" she whispered as she pressed her face into his neck, just now registering that she was shaking.

"He's gonna be all right," Barry assured her when stroking her back. "We're all gonna be all right."

Two Months Later

There was no change, Caitlin registered when performing the same routine as every other morning. She came to work. She walked straight to the lab adjacent to the cortex. She saw that Harry was still lying motionless in bed there, hooked up to a machine monitoring his heart rate. She checked the readings, releasing another breath of relief when she registered nothing bad happening during the night. Right after the particle accelerator explosion he'd been moved to a hospital and it'd been truly the worst week of her entire life as he'd kept on having heart attacks. Right after, everything always came back to normal and once Caitlin got over her initial horror at facing another loss, she figured out those couldn't be cardiac arrests since he was still alive. With the help of Cisco and Barry they transported dr. Wells back to the Labs and ever since he'd been under her care. She deduced his cells were moving so fast that it could look like a heart attack, but in fact wasn't. His heart was just beating that fast, never actually ceasing to stop. Which was extraordinary and terrifying.

Still, he wasn't waking up and she began to lose her hope, slowly dying inside. She figured it was time to shave his face again, something that she enjoyed doing because it made her feel closer to him. She knew he always kept his cheeks smooth, so she did her best to maintain that. Everything so he would feel more like himself after waking up. Everything so she could maintain at least some of her sanity.

There was one line she didn't dare cross, though. She didn't give him any sponge baths nor do anything that would require seeing him naked. She would actually want to see his body, she'd had ever since she'd developed feelings for this man, but not in those circumstances. Never in those circumstances. So she left that to a qualified nurse that came and left long before she or her friends did.

Caitlin actually knew what had happened to Harrison and the worst part was that she couldn't seem to help him despite that knowledge. Ever since the particle accelerator exploded, strange beings appeared in the city, people gained powers and they quickly started to be called metahumans. In fact, everyone who'd so far worked in the Labs, left, because the person to blame was Harrison Wells. Everyone abandoned the sinking ship, but the three of them would go down with the captain because he meant too much to them to let him go.

The blood tests Caitlin regularly performed showed her the changed DNA, the indicator that Harrison, too, was a meta now. Only he wasn't responding to any stimuli, nor the medications Caitlin tried to give him in order to wake him up. It was all futile and useless and she was running out of ideas.

"Why don't you just open your eyes already, Harry?" she asked him, looking at his peaceful face. She really missed his eyes. She missed the way he looked at her. She missed him.

She reached to his hand and took it, running her fingers over his skin. It was a bitter irony, really, that she could finally touch him so shamelessly and he couldn't even respond.

"Please, wake up. I need you. I don't know how long I can go on like this…" She eventually sighed and left the room, entering the cortex and finding Barry sitting in front of a computer and staring at the two months old article on the CC Picture News page. Reporter missing, the title said and below was a picture of a pretty Afro-American girl – Iris West.

Caitlin walked over to Barry and placed her hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently and giving him comfort this way because she'd run out of words to say a long time ago. It still meant the world to her that he'd helped her bring Harrison back, that he'd risked his own life for her and his boss. She already thanked him numerous times. There was truly nothing else to do or to say. Just wait.

She just didn't know for how long and that was the worst.

AN: So, what do you, girls, think? You did point out that I always seem to write Barry as the bad guy and the fact is that I actually love him, so I decided to go a different route in this story: )