This chapter is fairly short, but the next one will follow tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Thanks for reading, and for all the support and comments! :)

Chapter 4

Barry woke with a groan, feeling sore all over. He opened his eyes and squinted quickly. Sunlight was streaming into the living room.

"Morning, sunshine." Iris was standing at the foot of the couch looking down at him, a grin playing around her lips. She had a long fluffy robe wrapped around her that was obviously her husband's. The sleeves were rolled up to accommodate her shorter arms but the extra length allowed her to tie the robe shut around her belly. Barry got the feeling that his counterpart wouldn't see that robe back in his own clothing until after their babies were born. "Sleep well?"

"Uhh, kind of." Barry realized his blankets were once more on the floor. He reached down to retrieve them, feeling his muscles protest as he did. He grimaced. Iris watched sympathetically.

"Hard to sleep when you're away from home, huh?"

He stopped pushing his newly retrieved blankets to the foot of the couch to look up at her. Her eyes were sparkling with repressed laughter. He shook his head as a small laugh escaped. "Away from home. Nice. Yeah, you could say that."

She giggled, happy he'd caught her joke. "I'm going to make breakfast. You boys have work to do."

Barry nodded and moved to get up as a gust of wind blew out from the master bedroom. Older Barry emerged, dressed for the day. Barry couldn't hold in another groan as he stood up, stretching out sore muscles as he reached for the ceiling. He caught sight of Older Barry watching him. "I hate your couch."

Older Barry pointed. "What, that couch? I've slept many times on that couch. It's very comfortable. You have hyper healing, don't be a baby."

Barry gave him a look. "You've slept on the couch many times?" He raised his eyebrows. "Trouble in paradise?"

"I've fallen asleep many times on that couch." Older Barry corrected himself firmly. "Doesn't mean I stayed there." Barry couldn't help grinning.

"Barry?" Iris was calling from the kitchen.

"Yeah?" They both answered, both turning her direction as she popped her head out of the kitchen. She froze a moment before she came out the rest of the way, trailing her extra long robe behind her.

"Okay, this isn't going to work. We need some kind of alias for one of you; it's too confusing to have both of you answering to Barry."

Older Barry slid Barry a superior glance as he affected a too-innocent expression and tone. "You know, Oliver said the same thing yesterday, and there was a name put forth by Barry himself." Barry rolled his eyes.

Iris gave him an expectant look. "Really? What is it?" She took in his expression. "It's not Bartholomew, is it?" Her nose wrinkled as she made a face.

Older Barry grabbed his younger counterpart by the shoulders. "Oh no, it's better! Go ahead, Barry, tell her what you suggested." His voice was already starting to shake with mirth again.

Barry shrugged out of the other's grip and sighed. "I suggested Bear." He braced himself and wasn't disappointed.

Older Barry let loose the laugh he'd been holding in. "Isn't that just hilarious?" He looked to his wife for confirmation.

But Iris had a considering look on her face. She looked at Barry, who looked defensive but was obviously trying to hide it. "Shortened from Barry. Is that what your Iris calls you?" Her voice was soft with understanding.

Barry debated a moment before he responded. "And Joe. They're my family." He crossed his arms and waited, ready to go on the offensive.

Iris smiled. "I like it. There's nothing more important than family. Oh! Wait a moment." She hurried back into the kitchen.

Barry couldn't help it. He turned a wickedly triumphant smile toward the other man. Older Barry looked miffed that no one saw the humor in the name like he did. He mumbled his next words to Barry out of the side of his mouth as Iris came back out of the kitchen. "I still think it sounds cuddly."

Iris approached them, a long wooden spoon in her hand. She pointed it at Barry. "Kneel, sir."

Barry looked down at himself, in his borrowed pajamas. "Um—"

She raised her eyebrows, silently daring him to refuse. Older Barry recognized the look and gave him a look of his own that told him he'd better start complying pronto. Barry sighed, rolling his eyes slightly as he kneeled in front of the couch. But there was already a grin tugging at his lips. This reminded him of the time he and Iris had played knight and dragon when they were kids. Of course, the only reason she'd agreed not to be the knight was so she could be the queen dubbing him. Then she'd insisted as queen she would be allowed to go fight it with him anyway. Joe's couch had never been the same when they were done. The memories made him smile for real as he looked up at Iris now, still managing to look queenly in her too-long robe and pregnant belly. He looked down at the floor, playing along. He heard Older Barry shifting behind the couch and imagined he was ever so slightly jealous. Good.

Iris carefully laid the spoon on each of Barry's shoulders and affected a regal tone of voice. "I hereby dub thee Bear, with all the rights and honors pertaining to it, until such time as you return to your own world and get to be called Barry again—except by your Iris and Joe, of course." She withdrew the spoon and gave him a proud smile.

Bear looked up at her, feeling the absurd pride that came with this new name, now that Iris herself had deemed it worthy in this world. Barry could laugh all he wanted.

Bear had never sounded so good before.

After a very large breakfast for each member of the trio, Barry gave Bear some extra clothes and a hat to wear while they were out. Bear was tempted to argue about it, but it really did make sense not to advertise that Barry Allen suddenly had a slightly younger look-alike following him around. Iris was reduced to half time in the office now thanks to the twins but still worked from home. She gave Barry a kiss at the door and Bear a hug before sending them off.

Barry and the newly dubbed Bear headed out into the city, speeding through city blocks. They whipped in and out of traffic, finding a familiar route Bear had used in his world many times. About the time they hit the parking lot of a very familiar building, Bear was starting to get concerned. He stopped on the very outskirts of the parking lot. Barry noticed and circled around to stop next to him.

"What's the matter?" Barry looked slightly concerned as well. Bear was pretty sure he had the exact same look on his own face.

Bear just stared back at him. "Who wrote the paper you read?"

"Well, I don't know them personally, but they're inside. Come on, we're not going to get you home standing out here." Barry walked away, leaving Bear no choice but to follow.

They strode toward the main entrance of the facility, and Bear was craning his neck to look in all directions. The parking lot was very full. He could see buses for a school field trip lined up in one area. As they came closer and closer to the doors they merged with the stream of people headed inside for the day.

It was the busiest Bear had ever seen S.T.A.R. Labs. Ever.

They entered the office for visitors (always closed down and locked in Bear's world, it wasn't staffed and there weren't any visitors). Bear stood back against the furthest wall, arms crossed as Barry approached the reception desk. A very nice middle-aged woman spoke to Barry and then led them to a small room off the connected hallway. Bear slouched in, feeling the need to hide his face more than ever as the lady peered at him and Barry, asking if they wanted water or something else. Both politely declined. Once the woman smiled at them one final time and left them to wait, closing the door behind her, Barry rounded on Bear.

"Are you okay? What's the matter?"

Bear finally uncrossed his arms. "I just don't feel comfortable here."

"Don't you have a S.T.A.R. Labs in your world?"

"Yes, but it's never been this busy." Bear widened his eyes for emphasis.

Barry stared at him a moment, finally realizing that there were things from Bear's world that he probably shouldn't talk about if he was going to follow Barry's own rule. "Okay. Fine. Look, don't worry about it we're just going to ask some questions. I won't tell them anything about the Flash."

Bear relaxed slightly, feeling reassured. "Okay." He glanced out the small window, noting the full parking lot again, and then back to Barry. "So, how did you get your powers?"

Barry looked slightly surprised. He seemed to consider the safety of answering the question before deciding it was probably okay. "I was just reading comics in my lab, and lightning struck me. Chemicals, lightning, ta-da," he spread his arms out to put himself on display "fastest man alive." His arms came down as he considered Bear's expression. "Why?"

"There was no—explosion, no major catastrophe that caused the lightning?"

"No." Barry's forehead wrinkled. "Why, was it that way for you?"

"Kind of." Bear mumbled as he turned toward the window, feeling disgruntled. Some guys had all the luck. "Spoiled."

Barry clearly took offense at Bear's last word but lost his chance to respond as the door opened again and two people walked in.

The first arrival Bear didn't recognize at all. She was middle aged, tall and attractive with light hair and a friendly face.

The second Bear recognized immediately. It was Eobard. Or more likely, Harrison Wells.

He was almost exactly the same as Bear remembered, except there was no wheelchair and his face was just this side of different. Looking at him (and then quickly averting his own face as he shook hands with the man) Bear realized that this Harrison's glasses were different. They had clear frames, and made his face look far more open and friendly. His posture was more relaxed than Eobard's had ever been, and his eyes were bright with enthusiasm. But it took a moment for Bear to recognize the difference and force his body to relax. He hadn't even realized it at first. His entire body was coiled with tension, ready to spring into action. Barry noticed and shot him a nervous warning glance. Bear realized his face had settled into antagonistic lines and tried his best to smooth it out.

"—Dr. Wells, Miss Morgan, it is so great to meet you," Barry was finishing. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I remember the paper you two wrote a while back, and I just wanted to ask you about the theory."

Harrison Wells laughed. It made Bear's skin prickle. "Actually, we probably wrote that paper while we were Dr. Wells and Miss Morgan, but it's now Dr. And Mrs. Wells." He gave his wife a fond glance and slid his hand into hers.

"Really? Well, congratulations! I'm married myself, and my wife is everything to me." Barry was beaming. Bear was starting to feel like the fifth wheel—again. Perfect. Even in another universe he couldn't escape it.

Tess looked away from her husband long enough to note Bear quietly standing in the back. "Are you married, Mr…?" She left the word hanging, waiting for him to fill in his name. Barry jumped in.

"Henry. This is Bear Henry, he's my—cousin." He gave a wide, nervous smile.

"Bear? Oh that's unusual." Tess looked to Bear for more detail, and he managed to answer before Barry could jump in again.

"It's a nickname, but it's stuck with me for a long time now. And to answer your question, no I'm not married." He managed a tight smile, trying not to think of Tess Morgan's fate in his world.

"And you're cousins? Well that makes sense look at the resemblance. If I didn't know better I'd say you were twins!"

Barry laughed slightly too loud. "Yeah, we get that all the time." His smile dropped almost instantly as he tried to get back on the subject. "So, about that paper you wrote…"

"Oh, right!" Harrison was nodding. "Which one?" He gestured to the open door. "I'm sorry, things are crazy here right now, would you like a bit of a tour? We need to head to the main cortex and sign off on some things. Mind if we walk and talk?"

Barry shot a quick glance at Bear, who nodded slightly. "Yes, that would be great. Lead the way."

They headed out the doorway and to the elevators. Barry and Harrison were in the lead, while Bear and Tess followed after. Bear was staring at the floor most of the time, intently listening to the conversation.

Barry got back to the topic immediately. "So the paper I was interested in was the one about your theory on alternate universes?"

Harrison laughed. "What, that? Oh that was years ago, before we got serious and started building S.T.A.R. Labs. Didn't I used to call that our fantasy theory, honey?" He looked over to Tess as he entered the elevator and pushed the right button. The others followed him in.

"I think it was the sci-fi theory, Harrison," she replied. "I always liked it, even if it seemed a bit far fetched."

Barry was nodding quickly, as if he could speed up the conversation by agreeing faster. Bear found himself doing the same. "Yes, but the theory was that there might be—alternate universes, right? Multiple worlds?"

Harrison smiled reminiscently. "Yeah, that was the idea."

"And they are divided by what? Why don't they crash into each other, why aren't we aware of the others?"

"Well," Harrison looked at the two visitors in turn, "theoretically, you mean?"

"Oh! Yeah! Yeah, theoretically!" Barry was nodding even faster and seemed in danger of blurring his entire face. Bear elbowed him surreptitiously.

"Okay, theoretically, we hypothesized that these worlds are kept separate because they each vibrate at their own specific frequency. So there could be multiple worlds right near each other, but one is never aware of the others."

There was a moment of silence in which the elevator dinged. The doors opened. Harrison led the way out, and both Bear and Barry moved quickly to keep in the conversation. Barry kept talking.

"Okay, that's interesting Dr. Wells. Now what I wanted to ask, is do you think it is possible to travel across those frequencies to another world?"

Harrison came to an abrupt stop outside the main cortex entrance. "Travel? No. I don't see how that's possible. What do you think, Tess?"

Tess had a considering look on her face. "If our theory was correct, and that's a really big if, someone would have to vibrate at exactly the right frequency to be able to cross through that barrier to another world. That's not physically possible for a human being. That's one of the reasons we gave up trying to prove it and moved on to other fields of science. It's impossible to experiment with. There would have to be some kind of mitigating factor to enable that kind of crossing without vibrating."

"Like a black hole?" Bear spoke for the first time since they'd left the main office. He was still staring at the floor, even as the others rounded on him in surprise.

Harrison had a look of utter fascination on his face. "A black hole? Well I don't see—but maybe—Honey, doesn't a black hole's accretion disc have some kind of energy event to it?"

"Somewhere around 6.7 teraelectron voltz." Tess supplied, nodding her head. Bear looked up in surprise.

Harrison was smiling. He nodded to Barry. "One of the many reasons I love having her around. She's got an amazing memory." Tess smiled at him, and it couldn't have been more obvious they were deeply in love. Bear looked back down at the floor, frowning.

Barry flicked a glance at Bear then turned back to Dr. Wells. "A black hole?" he reminded Harrison.

"Oh, right. So a black hole with an energy event of such magnitude…I guess it could be possible it could facilitate travel between universes, but not it its typical state."

"What if you disrupted the motion?" Bear's voice was heavy with dread.

Harrison gave him an incredulous look. "Are you two writing a novel or something?"

"A screenplay," Barry supplied. "We take our research very seriously, Dr. Wells."

Harrison's face cleared, while Tess made a small noise of approval. "Well, hats off to you two, usually people just put together a bunch of science words and call it good. It's hard to find a good sci-fi movie I can sit through."

Tess seemed to have really gotten on board with the idea of a movie. "All right then, if, somehow, in your story you disrupted the motion of a black hole with that kind of energy event, the vibrations caused while the accretion disc shattered apart could very well allow for travel from one universe to another if they hit just the right frequency. There would most likely be—"

"—a bright light," finished Bear. He was glad only the floor could see his face. His stomach was curled with tension as his thoughts followed through. He had shattered the disc, and the resulting vibrations had allowed him to travel from his world to this one. That white light had been the doorway.

"Right," Tess gave him an amazed glance. "You know, I bet you're a great screenwriter, but you may have missed your chance to be an amazing scientist, Mr. Henry." She gave a small chuckle that he didn't return.

Barry pushed forward. "So, once the accretion disc was gone, would there be any way to get back through to the other world again?"

Harrison shook his head. "I don't see how. The facilitating factor would be gone. Hard to recreate that exactly again."

"But," Bear looked up, trying to hide the desperation on his face, "what if someone could vibrate to that exact frequency? Couldn't they—phase through?"

Barry gasped in agreement. "Yeah! What about that?"

Harrison looked at both of them for a moment before he answered. "Not without knowing the exact frequency of that world. Otherwise you'd just be blindly shooting and hoping you hit something just right. Too many unknown factors. That would be very, very dangerous, with very little odds for success. But it would make for a great movie, I guess."

There was a moment of silence. Bear was staring at the floor again, trying to disguise the fact that his breaths were coming in harsh gasps. Barry gave him a worried look. Neither speedster could think of anything else to say.

The moment was broken when a lab tech popped his head out from the main cortex. "Dr. Wells? Mrs. Wells? We need you guys in here."

"Sure thing, Kevin." Dr Wells turned to Bear and Barry. "Well! It was really great meeting you two. If you use our theory in your screenplay, I expect my name in the credits!" He and Tess laughed, holding out hands to shake with both visitors again.

"Of course," Barry was smiling his fake smile again, but Bear couldn't even muster one.

"Can you find your way out or shall I lead you there?" Tess was pointing up the corridor as her husband headed into the main cortex.

"Oh," Barry looked in that direction, looking unsure. "Um—"

"I know the way out." Bear turned on his heel and led Barry out of the building.

From here on out, our Barry will be referred to as Bear while in the alternate world. I hope it's not too jarring or difficult an adjustment, but there needs to be a division between the two for clarity's sake. I appreciate that most of us would rather change Older Barry's name, but it doesn't play out that way, and Bear has always been the nickname for ours. :) I really hope this doesn't put anyone off or make them stop reading. Hi-jinks, angst and fun stuff is in the near future and worth having a Bear and a Barry! :)