Joe sat quietly at his desk at the CCPD looking over some files that were left there just this morning. A new series of late night robberies from various warehouses have been identified. As of right now there wasn't much evidence as to who was behind it, what they were looking for, or if it was meta-associated. He sighed at all the missing pieces of the puzzle as he picked up his mug to take another heavy swig of coffee. Nights with Barry this past month after Henry's death have been pretty tough. Barry looked more and more worn out with the passing of each day. He knew he wasn't sleeping. It was also evident that he wasn't eating well either. It didn't escape Joe's attention last night as he checked on Barry. The pizza and soda were left untouched on his desk. It also didn't surprise Joe to see the same items in the outside garbage bin this morning. Joe rubbed at his brow. He would give anything to take away Barry's pain. It was killing him to watch his adoptive son retreat further and further into himself, hiding behind a smile and laugh that isn't real.

"Dad?" Iris's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He looked up as she strode into the office. She rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you ok?"

"Just another long night, Baby girl."

"Work or Barry?"

"I just wish I knew how to help him. He's not sleeping, Iris. He's not eating enough. He's running himself ragged and sooner or later..he's...he's going to get himself killed." Iris rubbed her dad's shoulder trying to sooth his growing anxiety. "Maybe you could talk to him?" Iris's hand stopped it's soothing motion.

"Dad, I don't think..."

"I know things aren't all there between you two right now, and I know it might be hard for the both of you. He needs to let someone in, Iris, and in the past it's always been you." Iris sighed, but looking at her worried father, she agreed. He was right. When Barry first came to live with them, he only seemed to ever open up or relax with her. She hoped that after all this, it hadn't changed.

"Sure, Dad. I'll try talking to him." He smiled a sad thank you patting her hand on his shoulder.

"I didn't mean to dump all my worries on you like that. What brings you here?"

"Not too much. Just checking on two of my favorite guys." Joe raised his brow knowingly.

"And... to see if there had been any update on the warehouse break ins." At this Joe shook his head.

"Nothing yet. No motive. No security footage. Not even a finger print. Nothing."

"Have you tried checking with Cisco and Caitlin?"

"No. We don't even know if it is meta-related."

"That doesn't stop them from being some of the smartest people we know. They may notice something you didn't."

"There really isn't much to go on, Baby Girl. Without more substantial evidence, there's really nothing for them to look into." Joe glanced over at the clock and down again at his watch. He started rising from his desk gathering his things together. "I got to get moving. There are a few people I need to speak with to review their statements, and I have a meeting this evening with Captain Singh." He turned pulling her into a quick hug and started heading for the door. He turned back for a short moment hesitating looking between her and the staircase leading up to the forensic labs. She nodded with a smile.

"Go. Don't worry. I'll talk to him." Joe shook his head and made his way towards the elevators.

After watching her father disappear behind the double doors of the elevator, Iris turned her gaze towards the staircase. Well, here we go, Iris thought to herself. She made her way out of her dad's office and up the stairs towards the forensic lab. The door to the lab was shut, which was a rarity. She ignored it though, slowly sliding it open. The room was brightly lit from the sun that filtered through the skylight and various windows. She slowly scanned the room until her eyes fell on the sleeping form of Barry slumped over his desk. She approached him quietly, careful not to disturb him. She perched herself on the edge of his desk studying him. She hadn't realized just how much he's changed in just under a month. His hair was a bit longer hanging limply over his forehead. His arms pillowed under his head and his face looked thinner than before. There were dark shadows under his once bright eyes and a very light thin layer stubble under his chin. He didn't look outright wrecked, but he's definitely had better days. She reached over sliding her fingers lightly through his hair brushing stray strands out of his eyes. He hardly even stirred at her touch continuing his slow even breathing. She hated to wake him.

"Barry?"

"Hmm," His brow furrowed a bit as a sleepy whine escaped his lips. Iris smiled at him. She really didn't want to wake him.

"Barry." She spoke a little louder gently patting his sleeping form on the shoulder rousing him further. His eyes cracked open for a moment. He then squeezed them shut more firmly.

"Wha.. come on, Iris." He nuzzled deeper into his arms.

"Bartholomew Henry Allen, you better wake up before captain Singh comes in here to give you another earful." Barry popped upright taking in the scenery. He must have forgotten where he had nodded off. He looked up at Iris perched on the edge of the desk smiling down on him. He buried his face in his palms elbows resting on his desk trying to rub the sleep away.

"What are you doing here," he mumbled out between his palms.

"I wanted to see if maybe you'd like to grab some lunch?" His hands dropped from his face slightly pink and spotted. She could see his gears starting to turn towards a possible excuse. She decided to cut him off before he even began. "Barry we've hardly spent any time together in the past month. I know you said you needed time, and trust me I respect that. I'm worried about you, though. And, I miss my best friend." She felt her eyes tearing up. Her words were honest. She really missed him. The time that they've spent apart has been really rough on her. She hated seeing him suffer in silence and alone. By some miracle of a chance her words must have struck home because he nodded his head in agreement before replying.

"Okay. Let's grab some lunch." He gave a small smile that wasn't quite full but not altogether empty or fake. She hopped off his desk and extended her hand out to him. He rose from his chair grabbing his jacket off its back. He took her hand wrapping his long fingers around hers and they left.

It wasn't long before Barry and Iris found themselves sitting at a table clutching two coffees in their hands at the warm and familiar Jitters. As they waited for their food to arrive, Iris was surprised how the quiet had settled between them. She found herself a little nervous and unsure how to begin. It was a surprise to hear Barry break the silence first.

"How have you been?"

"Alright. It's been a bit crazy at the CCPN. There seems to be a rise in meta related attacks over the past month, but they've been wrapped up so quickly its hard for the headlines to keep up. The deadlines will be the death of me." He smiled into his coffee taking another sip. "What about you? How have you been lately?"

"It's been rough." He admitted in a soft voice. "I am trying, Iris. I really have been, but it's been rough."

"Dad says you haven't been sleeping much." Barry shook his head.

"I can't close my eyes without watching it happen all over again," he said laying his coffee on the table. Iris covered his hand with hers. " And sometimes...being in that house..." he shook his head not finishing his sentence.

"What, Barry." He looked up at her with with pain filled eyes. He pulled his hand back from hers letting it fall into his lap. His eyes fell back into his cup. "Sometimes being there reminds me of everything I've lost. I only came to live with you guys because I lost my mother. Right now, I feel like I'm only there because I lost my father too."

"Barry, that's not true."

"Iris."

"Barry you are apart of our family. You belong there just as much as me or Wally." Just then, their food arrived momentarily pausing their conversation. The waitress with long dark hair and bright green eyes laid their food before them. She made sure they had everything they needed before quickly leaving the two alone.

"Iris, I know. I know you guys love me. I do, but.. When I look at you guys. You look whole and happy. I don't feel like I can be apart of that. At least not right now. Sometimes it still feels so raw. Sometimes standing in that room I can still see my dad's face right before Zoom took him."

"Barry..." Iris felt her voice breaking. She had no idea he had these feelings about them or what used to be their home.

"Iris, I'm not really sure how I can move on as long as I'm still there."

"Barry, what are you saying? Your place is with us. We are still your family. We aren't complete without Barry Allen." She could feel him shutting down. He started to rise. "Barry..."

"I'm sorry, Iris. I should really get back to CCPD. I'm sorry." Barry left the cafe speeding off into a blur just outside the doors. She looked down at the untouched food and half-empty cups. Me too, she thought to herself.