Hope you enjoy chapter three.

Reviews are appreciated, but no flames. If flames are found I will dig up Cisco's cold gun.

Summary: Finding the light in the dark is a hard concept for eleven year old Barry Allen to understand. After his parents were murdered before his eyes leaving him orphaned, he can only focus on the bad things happening around him. However with the help of Harrison Wells, his wife Tess and their two kids, Caitlin and Cisco, Barry learns that sometimes the good can outweigh the bad.


Chapter Three

"They're going to take me out of Central City."

Even though Harrison couldn't see Barry, he could imagine the eleven year old with red rimmed eyes, tear stained cheeks and a broken face. In a matter of a few short days, he lost the only people he loved and was not about to be forced out his city, the only home he knew. The pain this child must be facing was enough to break Harrison's heart. He had to do something, anything to help this child before it was too late.

Harrison put his phone on speaker so Tess could listen to the conversation, she was always better at handling these types of situations. Surely she would know what to do.

"Barry," Harrison said calmly, "I need you to start from the beginning. What happened, why do they want to take you away?"

"The DA came and said I had to leave Central City and go stay with some family in Coast City," Barry replied shakily, "I don't want to leave so I ran away. I'm at a payphone now and I-I-I didn't know what else to do. Central City is the only home I've ever had. I can't just leave."

Harrison was silent for a moment, he looked at his wife. Tess inhaled sharply, her thoughts starting to race with ideas and scenarios and problems yet to be seen. If the police were going to move to Barry out of the city, that could mean one of two things. They had nowhere else for him to go, or they were trying to hide him.

"Barry," Tess said after a brief silence, "It's going to be alright. Listen to me, I know you're upset, scared, angry and confused, but running away won't solve this."

"I don't know what else to do," Barry choked out, "Please, can you h-help me?"

"I will Barry, tell me where you are and I'll come to you," Harrison replied honestly.

"You won't call the police will you," Barry asked nervously.

Harrison said, "No. I won't."

Barry gave him the street address of the diner he was by. Harrison wrote it down and told Barry he was leaving the lab now to get him. Tess went with him despite her husband's protest. If he was going to help this boy, she was going to do the same. Harrison drove ten minutes before spotting Barry. The eleven year old was sitting at a bus stop, still wearing his red jacket from earlier and his backpack at his feet.

Harrison pulled the car in front of the bus stop. It was 12:30 and the next bus wouldn't come for another hour, so Harrison didn't have to worry about his car getting in the middle of public transportation. He told Tess to wait in the car, which she did to his surprise, while he went to speak to Barry. When Barry noticed someone coming over to him, he lifted his head from looking at the picture he swiped from his house. Despite the blue sky and shining sun overhead, Barry felt like he was under a dark grey cloud.

"Hi Dr Wells," Barry said with a red nose and glossy green eyes.

Harrison sat next to Barry and said, "Hey Barry. How are you feeling?"

"Terrible," Barry replied sadly, "I can't leave, this is my home. I would okay if I were to be with my Aunt and cousin, but they won't give her custody."

"And there's no one else you can stay with," Harrison asked, his heart aching for Barry, "What about the officer I spoke to earlier?"

"The Captain won't let him," Barry said sadly, tears forming in his eyes, "I already lost my mom and dad, I don't want to lose the only home I've ever had."

"Oh Barry," Harrison breathed, not knowing what else to say.

Tears streamed down Barry's face. Central City was home, it was the place he had lived in for as long as he could remember and the thought of leaving killed him. He already lost his parents, he didn't want to lose anything else.

"What am I going to do," Barry cried, his shoulders trembling.

Harrison pulled Barry into his arms. At first, Barry tensed in his arms, but he quickly relaxed and cried, releasing every sob and tear he had been holding back since the night his parents were taken. The memory of losing his parents, going back to the house and being told he would have to leave Central City made Barry sob harder. All the pain he felt came out as he cried in Harrison's arms and the sound broke the scientist heart.

"You'll get through this Barry," Harrison told Barry as he continued to cry, "Don't you worry, you can do this."

"How," Barry choked out.

Harrison hugged Barry a little tighter as he said, "Because you are strong. I can see it in your eyes, you won't give up. You will make it through and I will help you in any way that I can."

For a few minutes, Harrison was silent and he let Barry just release everything that he was feeling. When Barry was ready to talk, he would talk. Right now, he wasn't ready and just needed a little more time to collect himself. Barry broke the hug and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes.

He looked at Harrison and told him, "Thank you for coming."

Harrison smiled with a nod, "It was no trouble, I'm glad you called. Now, I hate to say this, but you do have to go back to the station."

Barry looked to the ground, "I know. I just don't want to leave this city. It's my home."

"I think I have an idea," Harrison said, a slight twinkle in his eyes.

Barry gave him a curious look, "What is it?"

Harrison smiled, "One that will ensure that you stay in Central City. Come on, let's go."

Barry climbed into the back seat of Harrison's car and introduced himself to Tess. Harrison told Tess and Barry his idea during the drive back to the police department. Tess had to admit that it wasn't a bad plan, but it definitely wasn't a solid one. There were a number of different outcomes and a majority of them were not good ones. However she would play her part.

Harrison was certain his plan could work, even with the few holes it had since it was created and put together over the course of a few minutes. Barry didn't object to the plan, he actually liked the idea because it meant he could stay in Central City. It meant he could stay home. Tess couldn't really argue with Barry, especially after she the way he and her husband interacted a little while ago.

The intention was good, the idea was good, the only real problem was getting the DA to clear it. They arrived at the police station, Barry walked in front of Harrison and Tess as they made their way up to the main floor. The moment Barry stepped out of the elevator, Joe saw him and ran straight over to him.

"Barry," Joe said, his voice filled with relief.

Joe hugged Barry tightly, he had been so worried about Barry and what kind of trouble he could have gotten into. After what the DA said about taking Barry out of Central City, Joe tried everything to get them to let Barry stay here, but to no avail. It seemed like everything he did was in vain.

"I'm okay Joe," Barry said as Joe separated their hug, "I'm sorry I took off."

Joe sighed, "It's okay, you were upset. It's a lot to handle and I am so sorry Barry. I wish there was something I could do."

Barry smiled at him softly, "There is. Tell him Dr Wells."

It was then Joe noticed the man he spoke to earlier accompanied with a woman he didn't recognize. Joe did not like the man nor did he trust him as far as he could throw him. However, he would put his suspicions and doubts aside if it meant he could help the boy he saw as a son.

Harrison nodded to the officer, "I have an idea. Barry told me that they want to take him from the city and that the Captain of this place won't allow you to take Barry in nor give his aunt custody. Perhaps what I have to offer could help him."

"Which is what exactly," Joe questioned, arms folded over his chest.

"I am a registered foster parent, me and my wife both are," Harrison explained, "I could take Barry in. I have the space and the money to care for him as long as he needs. This way he can stay in the city and be close to you."

Joe was ready to protest, but kept his mouth closed as he thought over Wells' offer. It was actually a good idea and helped Barry in the ways he needed, providing him with a home and allowing him to stay in the city. That was what Barry really wanted, to stay in the place he called home. Joe wanted to disagree with Harrison on this, but he couldn't. This could be Barry's last chance.

"Please Joe," Barry pleaded.

Joe looked from Barry and back to Harrison, "If it means Barry will be taken care of and happy, then I'm on board. The only problem is, you need to convince the DA and the Captain to give Barry to you."

Tess smiled gently, "I can manage that. I do have some experience with this sort of thing, give me an hour and they will agree to letting Barry stay with us."

Joe nodded to her, "I hope so… Hey Harley, will you watch Barry for a little bit?"

The officer Joe was talking to nodded. Barry was reluctant to leave the adults, but he did join Harley by the stairs before disappearing. Tess, Harrison and Joe went to the Captain's office where the woman from the DA was waiting.