*Beep* *Beep*

I woke up startled hearing an alarm blaring in my ears. I grumbled and reached to press the snooze button.

I rubbed my drowsy eyes before letting out a yawn before I opened them.

I was immediately greeted with an unfamiliar room. Where am I? Is the first question I asked myself.

Alright I needed to approach this as logically as possible and the first step would is to get out of bed.

I threw off the blankets covering me strangely though when I stood up it felt like I had grown a few inches.

I reasoned it was most likely my imagination.

I found a small desk next to the bed on top of it was a lamp and a few books related to physics and chemistry. I found one book that was titled Particle Accelerator. Is it safe? By: Dr Harrision Wells.

At first I thought someone was playing a prank on me but no, when I started reading through the pages I could only draw two possible conclusions. Either whoever wrote this is one of the best science fiction writers of all time or I am inside the DC Universe.

I got my affirmation when I saw my new reflection in the window.

"No way." My jaw dropped in shock. I looked exactly like the Grant Gustin version of the Flash in the TV show.

Sadly, I did not have blond hair or blue eyes like the comic book counterpart.

I resisted the urge to pinch myself if this was really a dream I wouldn't be capable of reading in a book.

This was overwhelming. It was like being inside the Matrix or that awesome movie Ready Player One. Where you have the freedom to do anything and be anyone you want except this wasn't a video game. All of this was real. I was inside a world where science fiction is science fact, magic is real, and aliens exist.

That included all of the superheroes and villains in the television series, comic books, and movies.

This is awesome. I get to meet some of my own personal favorite superheroes in live action that I grew up reading as a child and the best part of all one of them was the Flash.

He's always been my number one favorite out of all the DC characters because of his origin story I found to be a lot more personal than the rest of them.

For example I doubt there are many who can claim your arch nemesis is responsible for your transformation into becoming a superhero.

Barry Allen created the Reverse-Flash and Eobard Thawne created the Flash vice versa the two of them cannot exist without the other.

The two rivals were opposites and yet so like in many aspects. Both of them are men of science that studied the natural laws of the universe. The two of them obsessed their lives to understanding the impossible.

Eobard would dedicate his life to understanding the speed force and the Flash's identity while Barry would similarly dedicate his own life to learning who Eobard was.

That is where the similarities between the two end and the differences begin.

The Reverse-Flash is cold, calculating, manipulative, and his ruthlessness is only matched by his intelligence willing to kill anyone in his way to get what he wants.

The Flash is a kind, compassionate, selfless, and above all else he is the hero. A shining beacon of light that will never fade no matter how dark everything gets. He is someone who has a willingness to leap into danger and save people even at the cost of his own life.

I wondered what year exactly is it? What type of DC universe is this? Am I in the TV shows version of the Flash or is it more of its comic book counterpart?

I am kind of leaning towards the TV shows version since I'm the Grant Gustin Barry Allen instead of the comic book one but I could be wrong.

I thanked my lucky stars I wasn't the Justice league version of the Flash. I don't necessarily blame the actor who played him. I'm sure he did the best he could with his role; it is more of the writer's fault and the shitty design of the Flash suit.

I mean seriously it looked like it was made from scrap in a junkyard.

I know I don't have the Flash's speed so that would mean the particle accelerator hasn't exploded yet.

I found Barry's laptop but how can I use it? I don't know his password, wait the password was Nora Allen I wasn't just in Barry's body I had his memories as well. I also have his pain, love, and for his mother's guilt that I was alive and she wasn't, pain of what it felt like when I lost her, and love for all the times she took care of me and helped me through my fears.

Barry's father or my now since that I'm him. I feel his determination to prove he was inconnect and anger at Joe for not believing his father was inconnect. Only I knew who Nora allen murder is Dr. Harrison Wells or Eobard Thawne otherwise known as the Reverse-Flash. I instantly began to feel an immense amount of hatred and anger for the man but I gripped down a hold of that anger turning it into a cold controllable determination.

I typed the password in and then the computer began to load. I found the date in the corner bar and it said April 26th, 2013 it is just 7 months before the particle accelerator explosion.

I browsed the web my first search attempt finding sightings and rumors of a bat-like creature. It appears Batman had only showed up a few years in Gotham. I managed to find out a few of his rogue galley villains had appeared such as the likes of the Riddler, Mad Hatter, Bane, Scarecrow, Penguin, and Joker.

No Two-Face yet Harvey Dent is still the DA who hasn't had half his face burned off in that ionic Long Halloween storyline.

Disappointedly I didn't find any information about the world's first real superhero, Superman. I must be in the Arrowverse, not the DC universe or Superman just hasn't made his appearance yet.

I recalled my meta based knowledge from the Batwoman TV series. He mysteriously disappeared three years ago but he had spent 20 years in Gotham City. I must be in a universe with a mixture of the tv shows and comics or set in a whole new universe.

The newspaper article Flash Vanishes In Crisis from what I remember from the show and comic books it appears the Flash was destined to die. It was ironic to become my favorite character and be stuck in a universe with one of the greatest comic book storylines ever created where the Flash or rather I'm destined to die.

Oliver did make a deal with the Monitor to save Barry and Kara but it looked like only Supergirl was going to live while the Flash and Green Arrow died. Which means I have the advantage of future knowledge of what is to come. I had a big timetable of 10 or 11 years to prepare myself for the inevitable Crisis Event.

This is a lot of responsibility resting on my shoulders. I have to save not the world but the entire multiverse of infinite Earths. None of this was a comic book or some kind of tv show it was real. All of it. It felt like I was playing god with everyone else's lives.

Even if I didn't want to be a superhero which I very much do. I no longer have a choice in the matter if I don't do something to change things or decide not to become a hero the entire multiverse would be destroyed.

This is big every living being in existence is counting on me to save them. Anyone else might have crumbled under the weight of the responsibility or start experiencing a panic attack.

For just a split second I almost did. I felt my heart rate and blood pressure elevate, sweat forming on my brow and breath begin to hyperventilate before I pushed those feelings of panic down.

I wiped the sweat away from my forehead panicking won't do me any good. I'm not in immediate danger right now and neither is the multiverse I've got time.

I researched sightings of the hood or Green Arrow sightings in Star City; it appears he hasn't been seen in months and this must be between the first and second season of Arrow. Oliver traveled back to the island Lian Yu out of guilt for Tommy's death.

As much as I would love to go to Lian Yu and talk some sense into Oliver I can't. It would be far too out of place if some complete stranger who somehow knew everything about him.

Still I can't help but wonder if Superman does exist on this earth and hasn't made his appearance yet. Is it going to be like in the Man of Steel movie? Will the event occur somewhere in 2013 like when the movie came out? Would that change Joe's opinion about Henry Allen being innocent and believe that the man in the yellow suit did exist?

All good questions and no answers. Eobard might have been a liar but he was right about one thing, there are consequences to time travel and every change you make no matter how small will create a catalysium of events to the timeline but technically I haven't time traveled. I have knowledge of the future or possible future events. I have the chance to change things for the better.

I had a few ideas in mind to set up a better future for this universe. It starts with obviously forming up this world's Justice League. I need to locate potential candidates for the league Arrow, Batman, and myself but that's only three members. It's not much of a team if there are only three members. I'll have to do some more research for potential Justice League members at a later date.

I still needed to be careful with choices I make on the timeline. My tinkering, it could have dire consequences that could make things worse like in season 5 when team Flash destroyed Cicada's dagger freeing Eobard from prison in 2049, erasing Nora from existence, and accelerating the time table of when Crisis On Infinite Earth event happened by trying to stop her father from vanishing in the inevitable Crisis.

Nora may have had good intentions but she should've known better than to ever trust a man like Eobard. For crying out loud even after she learned all of the horrible things he's done she still continued to work with him. It was always going to end badly from the start. Men like him always have an ulterior motive when it comes to helping someone and it is never out of the goodness of their hearts.

The computer's clock read 7:39. Memories flooded my mind. This is one of Barry's first cases as CSI. The Judy Gimlin case.

"Well it's not everyday you get to become your very own superhero." I mused.

I began to head downstairs, dressed in my formal wear and feeling refreshed after taking a quick shower in the bathroom. I spotted Joe in the kitchen by the stove cooking breakfast from the smell entering my nostrils and the sizzling of the smoke, it was bacon and eggs.

Joe West looks just like the man in the TV show. He became the father figure Barry needed after his mother died and father went to prison.

This was the man who instilled the Ideals and beliefs into the person who would one day become the Flash.

"Breakfast will be ready in a minute Iris." Joe replied, not looking back to see who it was. "And can you get Barry up before he oversleeps again."

I know why he thought I was Iris Barry usually wakes up late not early I am what you call an early morning person. "I am sorry to break it to you Joe but I'm Barry not Iris."

Joe turned in surprise to see it was Barry the first one who was up and not Iris. "Oh sorry Barr I didn't expect you to be up so early."

"Early? It's only 8:15 but I guess compared to the amount of times I woke up late this is considered to be my early isn't it?" I quibbed in a joking manner.

Joe chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is, isn't it?"

I gave a cocky grin. "Today is the day I start as Junior CSI. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Joe used a spatula to place some of the eggs and bacon on top of a plate. "Yeah it is a good way to make a first impression on the lead detective unlike your interview with Captain Singh."

Barry's memories showed me how he didn't arrive late per say for the interview but just in the nick of time to meet his boss Captain Singh.

"What? I didn't arrive late for my interview." I defended, taking a seat.

"No you didn't, however you did manage to arrive at the very last second." Joe reminded with a mischievous grin, plate in hand moving over to me and placing the food on the table I was sitting nearby at.

"Don't worry." I assured, ."From now on I promise to put in a better effort to wake up on time."

"Good." Joe smiled. "I'm going to go upstairs and wake up Iris. You make sure to leave some food for the rest of us."

"No promises." I teased with a smirk.

By the time Iris had finally got out of her room to come downstairs I had finished all of my breakfast.

"I thought dad was playing some kind of joke on me when he said you were up." Iris remarked.

I stretched my arms out with a smile. "Well you can clearly see I'm wide awake."

Iris smiled. "Well you seem to be in a pretty good mood."

"How can I not be?" I rhetorically asked. "It's my first day as CSI."

"Yeah." Iris's mood suddenly dampered. "You're lucky you get to pick the career you wanted to do."

Ah yes Iris was upset with her dad when he forbade her from becoming a cop. When she did without his explicit approval he gave his daughter the cold shoulders for weeks until Iris finally relented.

"Iris, you know Joe only wants to protect you." I reasoned.

"Yeah well I'm a grown woman I don't need his protection." Iris retorted bitterly

She's not wrong. I've always felt this is one of Joe's greatest flaws as a character. He would always try to strongly discourage his kids from getting involved in anything dangerous except that discouragement would have the opposite effect.

I understand his intention is to keep his daughter and step son safe but discouraging them would only result in stubbornness of doing the one thing you do not want them to do.

"Iris you don't have to be a policewoman to make a difference." I started. "There are plenty of other ways you can make an impact on the world."

"Like what?" She rhetorically asked. "I hope you're not suggesting that I become a forensic scientist like you Barry. You know I'm not the best at science."

I laughed. I found it hard to imagine Iris becoming a forensic scientist like Barry is even in the multiverse. "No that is not what I'm suggesting I was thinking you could become more like a reporter."

Iris raised a curious eyebrow. "A reporter?"

"Yeah." I affirmed. "You could become one of the few that actually care about the truth, getting the whole story and not just the juicy bits."

"Well there are quite a few reporters out there who care more about the story than the truth." Iris considered.

"Exactly!" I agreed. "The world needs more reporters to get the truth out there than ones who want the story to be as entertaining and juicy as possible. You would be able to help so many people by doing this."

"You know being a reporter might actually be a little fun."

"Thank you, Barry." I was caught off guard by the sudden hug from Iris but graciously accepted it.

"No problem, Iris." I awkwardly patted her on the back. "That's what family is for."

Iris released from the warm embrace.

"Just make sure to get both sides of the story. There is a difference between truthful writing and biased writing." I advised

"That is good advice." Joe agreed. "You should take those words to heart, Iris."

Iris smiled. "Don't worry dad it's thanks to Barry I now have an idea what type of career I want to pursue."

Joe gave his daughter a quick hug and kiss goodbye before we left.

"Did you remember to get your CSI kit?" Joe asked, putting his car keys in the ignition starting the vehicle up.

"Yes, it's in the backseat." I affirmed.

"Could you tell me about the case we're working on?" I asked, curious.

"Didn't you read the file?" Joe gave me a quick glance before turning his eyes back onto the road.

I vaguely remember bits and pieces of a files content information

"A little." I answered. "Could you refresh my memory?"

"It's the Judy Gimlin case. Homicide, prime suspect is the husband: Reagan Gimlin. The lead Detective Ralph Dibny should be able to tell us some more details when we arrive." Joe explained.

Several long minutes of silence pass during the drive.

"You okay Barr?" Joe asked, concerned. He put his pedal on the brake when the yellow light turned red. "You've been rather quiet."

"I'm good, just a lot on my mind is all." I answered. Which is true. I've been thinking about whether or not when I get my powers will they be more of the comic book version counterpart, tv show, or a mixture of both.

I hope it is more of the Flash's comic book counterpart than the tv shows counterpart. The Flash in the comic books can move faster than the speed of light Einstein proposed traveling faster than light is thought to be impossible. I always hated how underpowered the Flash tv show version was made. I get every hero needs challenges and struggles to overcome but I just felt so frustrated at times with how nerfed the Flash was in the show.

Our vehicle parked just next to the sidewalk of a house that had yellow police tape and several other cops inside or outside the house.

We exited the car stepping onto the grass surface. The grass is trimmed to the exact inch and smells clean whoever mows this lawn is eco environment friendly and doesn't want any pollution. They must use a reel lawn mower.

I paused as I realized my analytical CSI mind was just put into action. Geez not even inside the house yet and I've made my first real deduction.

"Hello, nice to meet you rookie I'm Detective Ralph Dibny. I take it you're our new junior CSI." Ralph greeted behind the yellow tape police line.

I'll be the first to admit it was odd seeing the Elongated man in person wearing a police uniform he looked just like the character in the show. It was slightly disappointed you figured in this new universe there would be some new differences.

"Nice to meet you." I held out my hand. "I'm Barry Allen."

"Detective Ralph Dibny." He graciously accepted the handshake. "We've got a long way to go before we're on a first name basis so for now you're only a rookie, rookie."

"That's fine." I allowed seeing no point in arguing since technically Ralph is my superior. "So do I just call you sir or Detective Dibny."

Ralph smirked. "Detective Dibny will be fine sir makes me feel old."

"Detective Ralph." Joe spoke, gaining his attention. "Could you explain exactly what happened here?"

"Sure just follow me." He signaled us to come inside.

I went under the police tape and into the house.

"Jesus." I swore in disgust as I looked upon the dead woman black haired woman when Ralph removed the drap off her. There had to be stab wounds on the woman's entire front all the way up to the head and down to her feet.

"I know grody right?" Ralph asked in amusement.

I silently agreed with him.

"How many times was she stabbed?" I asked in awe looking at her closer. I think some of the stab wounds must've been driven into more than just once.

"We haven't gotten a medical examiner over here yet but if I were to wager a guess it would probably be around 30." Ralph answered. "And what happened here must have been a crime of passion."

"Yeah that's what I think as well." Joe agreed.

"Do we have any other suspects or is it only the husband?" I inquired.

"It's the husband." Ralph stated with conviction. "He's the only one who would benefit the most from his own wife's death. If she died all the life insurance money would go to him and a few of the neighbors heard the couple arguing with each other a few nights ago." He added.

"Murder weapon?" I questioned.

"No." Ralph shook his head in disappointment. "He must've had some time to cover his tracks."

"It wasn't any of the knives." I pointed to the kitchen rack knives near the sink.

Ralph let out a sigh as he put his hands in his pockets. "The thing is even if we were to find prints on one of the knives the fact remains that this Mr. Gimlin household as well it isn't all that suspicious to find tiny traces of DNA on a knife."

I sighed. "So we've got nothing."

"Oh no we've got plenty almost everything except the weapon." Ralph replied. "We are all depending on you to crack this case all you need to do is find the murder weapon otherwise…."

Joe looked at Ralph suspiciously. "Otherwise what?"

"Nothing just a train of thought." Ralph waved it off.

Joe didn't look convinced.

This is just perfect all I need to do is to solve this case is to find the murder weapon which the killer most likely covered up.

"Have we tried talking to the suspect?" I questioned.

Ralph had an expression of exasperation. "He decided to lawyer up if that doesn't speak guilty. I don't know what does."

Well there goes that idea I was hoping to goad him into fessing up. C'mon think we know the murder weapon is a knife- or is it?

I just remember a book I read can't remember what it was called but I distinctly recall in one chapter that there was this game called what is the best murder weapon or something.

Now that I have got a closer look at the stab wounds or ice picked wounds I should say.

"Have we just checked the refrigerator?" I questioned.

Ralph and Joe gave me odd looks.

"No we haven't." Ralph finally responded. "What could possibly be inside the fridge that is so important."

"Joe you remember that one particular question about what would be the best murder weapon." I reminded him.

Joe and Ralph looked confused before they gained looks of understanding.

"You think the murder weapon was an icicle not a knife." Ralph guessed.

I looked up at the freezer. "Only one way to find out."

The door opened wide. I felt a cool breeze brush along my face. One day this cold is going to be one of my greatest weaknesses. I wonder if I can somehow condition my body to withstand cold temperatures before I become a speedster.

I know it is possible since the human body can adapt to any temperature and build up a tolerance against but would it work if I became a speedster.

My DNA would become altered on a molecular level.

"What's this?" I wondered, locating something unusually out of place in a freezer. It is a large tube shaped like a stick.

Ralph pointed his finger at it. "Is this our icicle maker?"

Joe turned, raising an eyebrow. "Icicle maker?"

Ralph shrugged. "It was either that or tube ice shaper."

"Let's head back to the police so I can analyze this in the crime lab."

"Can't DNA be destroyed in cold temperatures?" Ralph inquired.

I shook my head. "No, studies have shown that repeatedly freezing and thawing doesn't cause DNA degradation."

"So that means there are prints left on it?" Ralph asked, making sure.

I nodded.

XXX

Unfortunately unlike in the cop shows you watch DNA analysis takes a lot of time to process.

"How long is this gonna take?" Ralph asked impatiently.

"Usual DNA analysis can take about two to five days." I answered staring at the percent bar on the computer ever so slowly going up.

"TWO TO FIVE DAYS!" Ralph exclaimed. "We can't afford to wait that long. We need the evidence on the double."

I smirked. "If this was traditional DNA testing but we've got rapid DNA analysis it should only take two hours."

Ralph opened his mouth and then closed. "Wait, did you play a joke on me?"

Ralph let out full blown laughter holding his sides wiping a tear from his eye. "Ha good one rookie I was worried you were all business like everyone else here."

"To be fair the job as a cop can be a bit grim." I reminded.

"Precisely my point, everyone here needs to lighten up and stop taking everything so seriously." Ralph stated.

"Could be worse, take Gotham City for example." I pointed out.

Ralph shuddered. "Yeah I would not want to live in that place especially when it has the Joker."

I looked at him. "Ralph, do you have Coulrophobia?"

Ralph gave me a confused look. "Coulro-what?"

"Coulrophobia fear of clowns." I explained.

"I do not have a fear of clowns." He defensively responded. "I just don't like the Joker."

"Why?" I inquired. "I mean other than the fact he has killed more people than every serial killer in history."

"There is that." he conceded. "And the fact he is completely deranged and unpredictable you figured he would have earned himself the death penalty by now."

I frowned because Ralph had a good point with all the people the Joker's murder you figured he would have earned himself ire for the death penalty with the type of body count he's got. Sure insanity could be a factor but the Joker has enough rationality to concoct these master plans of his. Maybe the Joker has some kind leverage over the Judge and Grand Jury whenever he is on trial.

Joker's crazy but not stupid he certainly wouldn't forego all sense of self preservation.

Or Gotham City could be in a state that doesn't have the death penalty.

XXX

"What do you mean I have to take a stand? I thought you had enough evidence with the DNA I collected from Mr. Gimlin icicle maker."

I had just met with Central City's DA Cecile Hornet I assumed once I gave her the evidence I collected so far it would be done and over with.

Of course nothing is simple in life even in a new one with superpowers inside of it.

"It's not the simple while yes you have provided us a solid murder weapon and Gimlin's DNA is all over it."

"I sense a 'but' coming." I guessed.

"But we need a scientist to take a stand and have them give their professional opinion as it were."

"What about the lacerations on the woman's body that proves she was killed by an Icicle." Ralph argued.

"But it doesn't necessarily prove Gimlin did it. All this proves is that the murder weapon is an Icicle not a knife." Cecile countered.

I groaned. You have gotta be kidding me.

"Which is why you need me to take a stand?" I concluded.

Cecile smiled. "Exactly if you do this Gimlin will certainly be serving a lifetime sentence at Iron Heights."

"And you certainly my word will hold that much credibility." I skeptically asked. "I don't have a lot of experience."

"Experience won't matter if you can back it up with hard cold logical facts." Cecile reasoned.

"Barry." Ralph called me by my first name. "We need your help on this if we want a very bad man to go to prison otherwise he is going to get away with killing his wife."

I sighed, relenting. "Alright I'll do it."

XXX

I greatly despised court rooms, especially lawyers.

Namely this sleazebag in particular.

"Please state your name and occupation."

It seemed harmless at first just answering the simple question but it is really a tactic to get you to feel more relaxed.

"Barry Allen, CSI for the Central City Police department." I professionally introduced,

Gimlin's lawyer paced the courtroom gazing at me. "And how long have you been a CSI?"

"Not long." I decided best to be vague.

Gimlin's lawyer had that pen in his hands twirling it with that smug smirk on his face. "So I take it you don't have much experience."

I gave him a critical stare. "What is the point of this?"

"You're certain you didn't make a few mistakes when you collected this so-called new evidence?" He skeptically inquired.

I glowered at him. He was playing on the young and inexperienced kid angle trying to prey on my insecurities.

I leaned forward, hands together and spoke in a cool tone of voice. "I assure you I might be a little inexperienced but I always remember to give everything a 100 and 10 percent effort."

I couldn't help but smirk at his displeasure. Outwardly he seemed cool and calm but inwardly I could see through his frustration at his failed attempt.

"No further questions your honor." He sat back down next to his client.

I honestly never expected Gimlin to look so average and boring. Seriously he had an average height, common hair black if you're wondering, and brown eyes. He didn't look ugly per say but not very handsome either. In fact he looks like one of those side characters in a movie whose sole purpose is just to be there.

Seriously he looked so dull boring I found it hard to believe he would be able to commit murder.

"Barry is it true that you found the murder weapon who killed Ms. Gimlin." Cecile began.

"Yes it is true." I answered.

"And whose DNA was on it." She asked.

I looked directly at the defendant. "Mr. Gimlin's DNA."

Gimlin's lawyer sat up. "Objection your honor. I would like to see this so-called new evidence."

"As would I." The judge agreed. "Ms. Hornet."

Cecile smiled confidently. "Certainly." She handed the Judge document papers.

"Interesting." The Judge read. He turned to me. "Mr. Allen can you confirm with your expert opinion."

I smirked. I can't help but feel a little smug. "I don't give out opinions. I give out logical facts and I can tell you without a doubt that Judy Gimlin was murder by an icele."

"Well," He turned to the defendant and his lawyer. "Do you have anything to say in defense of your client?"

"No, your honor." He knew a losing battle when he saw one. He didn't need to see the evidence to know it was a silver bullet.

XXX

"Grand Jury, how do you find the defendant?" The judge asked them as they stood up.

"We find the defendant guilty in the first degree of murder." The Jury had declared.

Gimlin looked stunned. I couldn't help but snort, how did he think this was gonna go that he would get away with killing his wife.

He was smart about it I'll give him that using an icicle really is the perfect murder if you can't find the weapon how can you be prove guilty if there isn't one to begin with.

"Due to the circumstances of a new development Gimlin has been found to be mentally ill and is a danger to himself and those around therefore effective immediately he'll be transported to Arkham Asylum where he can get the treatment he so desperately needs." The judge declared slamming down his mallet.

Gimlin looked horrified. No one could really blame him Arkham might be one of the most advanced mental health facilities but with it holding rogues like the Joker, Riddler, and Mad Hatter getting sent there is like a death sentence.

It felt oddly satisfying watching Gimlin kicking and screaming out the courtroom as he was escorted by two police officers.

He glared at Ralph, hatred in his eyes that promised pain and suffering. "This isn't over! When I get out of Arkham I'm coming for you! Do you hear me! You and your CSI buddy are dead! DEAD!"

"Well this certainly must be an interesting first day of work for you rookie." Ralph remarked, hands in his pockets.

"Interesting?" I gave Ralph an indigenously look. "The two of us just got threatened by somebody who promised to come after when he escapes or when he is released from Arkham."

Ralph dismissed it. "We'll be fine cops get death threats by criminals all the time and they rarely follow through with it besides he's the one who went with an insanity plea it's hardly our fault he didn't think it all the way through."

Maybe not but I can't help but feel somewhere down the line this change I made is going to come back on me.

I just know it.

Ralph clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Speaking of which, let's get Jitter's to celebrate."

I raised an eyebrow. "To celebrate what?"

Ralph grinned, punching me in the arm. "To celebrate your first day on the job and cracking the case."

I smiled there is one good thing that came out of this though Ralph is still a Detective and never lost his job.

XXX

I forget one little detail Iris used to work at Jitter's before she became a reporter.

"Here's your capuchino Barry." Iris handed me the drink I ordered and Ralph's as well at the table we were seating at.

"Thank you." I picked up the mug taking a sip.

Ralph had a teasing smirk. "Was that your girlfriend or something?"

The question was so casual and perfectly timed. I spluttered, spraying the black liquid I just drank on the small table we were sitting on.

"She is not my girlfriend." I firmly stated, flustered grabbing a napkin to clean up my little accident.

Ralph raised a curious eyebrow. "Then how do you two know each other?"

"She's my sister." I answered that confused Ralph even more. "I'm adopted." I added.

"Adopted? What about your real parents?" Ralph asked.

"The Father was arrested for a crime he never committed and the mother was murdered." I flatly explained.

Ralph gaped, wincing. "I'm so sorry Barry I did-"

I raised a hand. "It's okay Ralph you didn't know."

Ralph had a guilty expression. "I still shouldn't have asked. How…." He stopped himself.

"How old was I?" I guessed.

Ralph nodded. "Not too old, it happened when I was only 12."

"T-T-That must've been traumatic at such a young age." Ralph stammered.

I grimaced while taking a sip of my coffee. "It was."

It honestly said a lot about the Flash's character that he didn't let looking for his mother's killer consume like it did for Batman when lost his parents. The loss altered who Bruce Wayne was turning him into the Batman.

Joe was right about Barry. He's seen so much darkness in his life and he has never let it change who is like so many other people.

I wonder if I am able to handle the dark future ahead of me.

XXX

It turns out that Barry had been investigating his mother's death before he even became a CSI.

He apparently hid a secret stash of evidence and newspaper reports he had been collecting over the years concerning the Henry Allen case.

I idly wondered why he didn't just download digital copies on his computer it would make it a lot easier to hide.

He wouldn't even need to worry about hiding that information in the CSI lab he could just keep it safely locked up.

"Barry, mind if I take a moment of your time?" Ralph politely asked.

"Sure what can I do for you?"

"Actually it is more like what I can do for you." He said. "I did little research on the Henry Allen case."

I raised an eyebrow, curious "And?"

"I don't think your father is guilty." He answered.

"Why do you think that?" I inquired

"Because there are far too many coincidences that don't add up." Ralph simply replied. "One thing I found odd is how fast Henry Allen was convicted. Two both of you claimed a man in a yellow suit did it. Now I'm not a Psychiatrist but I'm pretty sure most children would be too traumatized or in shock to even think about defending their dad for a crime they did commit."

"And yet all of them have reasoned what I saw was impossible." I retorted.

Ralph snorted. "Unbelievable? Yes. Impossible? No. Which brings me back to one question: Where is Henry Allen's motive? Him and his wife never showed any signs of a strained relationship. Did you ever hear the two of them fight?"

"No, they were a happy couple." I responded before giving him a pointed look. "Why are we even talking about this?"

"Because an innocent man lost 15 years of his life and a son he never got to see grow up." Ralph stated.

"That doesn't answer my question: why do you believe me when so many other people didn't." I asked, curious.

"When I first received the Gimlin case my gut told me the husband did it." Ralph started. "It turned out to be right when you proved he was guilty. My gut is telling me the same thing with Henry Allen."

"What are you saying?" I cautiously asked.

"What I am saying is I want to help you prove your father is innocent." Ralph declared.

I frowned. I didn't expect a change like this to happen. It could create more problems that it will solve.

I would feel better having an ally like the Elongated Man help me solve my Mother's case after all his detective skills rival the likes of Batman. I'm well aware Thawne is going to notice the change to the timeline where Ralph never got fired from his job.

I could try replacing his camera with some fake footage but I don't exactly have the best hacking skills yet and if I try hacking into his network I might accidentally set off a security breach alerting Thawne.

Besides It is probably only a matter of time before Thawne learns Ralph never lost his job as a Detective so it probably won't matter in the end regardless of what I do.

I reluctantly sighed. "Alright Ralph you can help but this is a secret that can only stay between us understand?"

"I understand." Ralph agreed. "I promise you won't regret this."

I sincerely hope not. Thawne is probably watching us through the camera's even as we speak.

Just as long as I don't act uncharacteristically suspicious we should be fine.

Author notes: There we go this is my first chapter rewritten. I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm gonna be honest with you guys. Several of you pointed out my earlier chapters are a complete mess and you are right. I'm embarrassed to call this my first chapter looking back on it now I made so many mistakes especially with the grammar and punctuation.

I don't like to make excuses for myself but if you want an explanation for the poor writing it probably had to do with my inexperience. Comparing this chapter to my first one I can see the big differences between the two.

You probably won't be seeing chapter six for a while as I fix some of the mistakes I made in the early chapters of this story I made so expect more rewrites in the near future.