Greetings! This is the fifth in my Meta-Tests series. I'd highly recommend you read the other four first (Meta-Tests, To the Rescue, In the Lab at Night, In Grief). This also may be the longest in the series. I'll try to post a chapter or two a day but editing may take time. If you know me, then you know I don't start posting until the rough draft is done. Comments are always welcomed! I still lack a Beta. Apologies for abuse of the English language. Flash does not belong to me and I make no monies from this! -TC

Chapter 1: The Discovery

Detective Joe West tried to ignore the sweat pouring down his face as he struggled to keep up with his workout partner. They'd been meeting on a nearly daily basis early in the morning for a few months now. Joe was in considerably better shape, but his partner still kicked his butt pretty much every day. At first it had frustrated Joe but now he was used to it. The good news was that when Harrison beat him back to the house he got coffee and breakfast ready. By the time Joe made it back to the house, soaked in sweat and gasping for air, Harrison was already enjoying his first cup of coffee and had breakfast out on the table for both of them.

While Joe might not admit it, he'd lost ten pounds in the time he and Dr. Harrison Wells had been working out and eating breakfast together. Joe's body was starting to trim down and tone up. He liked it. The only time Harrison didn't work out with him was the hour Joe knew the other man did on the bike. Harrison claimed it was because Joe would be bored, but Joe suspected that Harrison was self-conscious about the fact that he used the bike to work his paralyzed legs. Overall, Joe had learned a lot about what Harrison could and couldn't do, but the man did his best to never need help.

"Come on Joe," Harrison called over his shoulder. He was several feet in front of Joe, the wheels of his chair spinning fast as he pushed them smoothly. "You're making breakfast today!"

"I didn't agree to that," Joe protested. Speaking was probably a waste of energy, but Joe could tell that Harrison felt like bantering. Instead of retorting though, Harrison suddenly stopped, breaking his wheels so hard he actually skidded some. Coming to a halt next to his friend, Joe leaned his hands on his knees, taking deep breaths.

"Did you hear that?" Harrison asked, looking around. They weren't far from his home, only another block, maybe two. The scientist lived in the outskirts of the city, with neighbours who kept to themselves and lived far enough away that it felt like Harrison had his own little oasis.

"Hear what?" Joe asked, struggling to hear anything over his own breathing. As he strained his ears he heard it. "Is that a cat?"

"No," Harrison said with certainty. He moved closer to the woods off the road. In his wheelchair, he wouldn't get far in the thick grass and brush. Standing to his full height, Joe came over and stood next to his friend. They heard the cry again and both looked in the same direction.

"I'll go check," Joe said, patting Harrison on the shoulder. Stepping carefully, he started down the slope, trying to ignore the itch of the grass against his bare legs. The noise sounded again, and Joe narrowed his search. What he found broke his heart.

"Harrison, get to the house. Get out your medical supplies!' Joe called as he carefully reached into the thorny bush the noise was coming from.

"What will I be treating?" Harrison asked.

"Human infant!" Joe replied.

"Right." As Joe lifted the bloodied child from the bushes and cradled it to his chest, he heard Harrison start off. From the sound, Joe could tell his friend was going as fast as he could.

"Hush, I got you," Joe said, hoping his voice would comfort the screaming infant. From the tattered blankets, he couldn't tell how long the baby had been outside. Glancing back up the path, Joe would guess someone had thrown the baby out the window of a car as they'd driven past. Anger started to build in Joe's chest, but concern for the infant doused it for the time being.

Doing his best to comfort the infant, Joe got back up to the road and headed as quickly and carefully back to Harrison's house as he could. He'd let Harrison treat the child's injuries while Joe called in to report it. Hopefully, somebody was searching for the little infant and they'd be able to reunite the family quickly.