Response to reviews:
spiderman1fan: Thank you. The contest is gonna happen. Personally, while I consider Oliver to be the better fighter (and in some cases character), I think Clint is the better archer solely due to his better trick arrows and better aiming feats. I might bring Batman in but not Black Lightning as I know nothing about the character nor am I that interested in him.
KevinAguirre8481: They are and there will be no tension for Invasion.
Bl4ckHunter: Thanks.
Yes they do and Joe being a WA yes man is definitely weird. Especially considering how both of them are technically his children. Yeah, I decided to have Team Flash be supportive of Barry being with Daisy.
Yeah, it is.
They are and they do still need to get used to dopplegangers.
Chloe (Guest): Thanks.
OmniBIBUltraInstinctGodzilla: Thanks.
Yeah they do. Yeah, I don't like the idea of Joe being the WestAllen yes man that they made him in the show. It most certainly is awkward and odd.
Oh tell me about it, they definitely deserve some peace.
She did. I decided to include that as a bit of a gift for both Wanda and Daisy.
Yes they are. Oh they do. Ah! I see what you did there.
It is. I'll be starting it in the next chapter. They won't because now I've made them heal past their struggles. Now, they and Caitlin are friends again.
Happy to hear it.
Barry found himself kissing Daisy. He stumbled back but managed to stay on his feet. After a few seconds, Daisy pulled herself away in order to see him. To look at him. For him, it had only been a few hours. But for her, it had been nine months. Almost a year and they both knew it. Crying and sobbing, Daisy looked at Barry, seeing his tear-streamed face. The two of them held each other, both of them crying. They had each other back. They finally had each other back. Daisy had Barry to herself. She didn't know what to say. Are you okay? I love you. What happened? All the words crossed her mind but she couldn't say any of it. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. It ended up being Barry who would speak first.
"A-are you okay?" Barry asked.
"I-I love you," Daisy choked on her tears. "I thought you were dead."
"I'm okay," Barry assured, nodding his head as tears streamed down his face, holding Daisy in his arms. "And I love you too."
"You came back to me," Daisy whispered between her sobs.
"And I always will." Barry promised.
Daisy pulled Barry's face down to hers as their lips touched once more. As Daisy kissed Barry, she cupped the sides of his face with her hands. Barry wrapped his arms around Daisy's body as he held her comfortably. The pair embraced each other as their kiss continued on for a few moments. Eventually, they separated, pulling their faces away. Daisy and Barry managed to calm themselves as they helped wipe each other's tears away. Their eyes bloodshot and their cheeks dry from crying. Daisy kept her hands together around Barry's neck as the two of them held each other together.
"Are you okay?" Daisy asked immediately. "Cisco said you were hurt."
"I'm a little banged up," Barry admitted. "But it's fine. I'll be alright."
"A-and Godspeed?" Daisy added, visibly sounding panicked and worried.
Barry shook his head. "It's okay. He's gone. Stuck in the speed force. He won't hurt you or the baby. I promise-" A look of realization then hit Barry's face as his jaw dropped open, words slipping from his mouth. "The baby. Is it-"
"He's with Wanda," Daisy explained, emotion fuelling her words. "They're all downstairs."
"He?" Barry asked, a small smile forming on his lips.
"It's Luke," Daisy said, smiling through her bloodshot eyes as she remembered her and Barry's moment on the rooftop.
Barry's face then dropped to sadness. "I'm sorry…" Tears began filling his eyes as he shook his head. "I'm so sorry, I should have been there. I should have…"
"Hey, no," Daisy whispered as she rubbed her hands on Barry's shoulders. "It's okay. You're here now. And that's what matters to me."
Barry nodded in agreement. "Can I see him?"
"Yeah, come with me."
Back in the breach room, the members of Team Flash were acquainting themselves with the Avengers. Clint's daughter, Lila, and younger son, Cooper, were running throughout the rooms. H.R. was playing with them, pretending to chase them as the children squealed upon H.R. joking to catch them. Even Caitlin, Cisco, Joe, and the rest of Team Flash and the Avengers were surprised. Team Flash knew H.R. was kind and appealing but they never would've assumed that he was skilled with children. As H.R. continued playing with Lila and Cooper, keeping them occupied, the members of Team Flash and the Avengers continued talking with one another. In one area, Wanda was comforting Luke as Caitlin stood next to her.
"You want to hold him?" Wanda asked.
Caitlin shook her head. "Maybe another time," She looked down at Luke, whose small baby eyes were open, his finger in his mouth as he looked at Caitlin. "He has Barry's eyes."
Wanda looked surprised. "How can you tell?"
"It's a shade of blue," Caitlin said, smiling as she looked down at the baby. "Barry has blue eyes."
Joe, Wally, Jesse, and Cisco came closer to Caitlin and Wanda as they all looked down at the baby. Joe and Wally had the happiest looks on their faces. Wally for knowing that he was, technically speaking, an uncle. Joe for knowing that he was a grandfather. That he was looking down at the future of the Allen family. Looking down at his grandson. H.R. eventually slowed down from his run, visibly exhausted, as Lila and Cooper sat down with him. Laura and Clint were beside each other, holding their one-year-old baby son, Nathaniel. Then, Barry and Daisy arrived at the breach room as Team Flash and the Avengers all turned to face him. Before Barry knew it, he found himself being tackled into a hug by Sam.
"I knew you were still alive," Sam grinned, releasing Barry. "It's good to see you, man."
Barry chuckled. "Good to see you too, Sam."
Clint then walked up to Barry as the two shook hands tightly before giving each other a one-armed hug.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, kid," Clint said with a grin.
"Thanks, Clint," Barry said as he eyed Laura, holding his hand out to her. "You must be Laura."
"And you're Barry," Laura replied with a smile, shaking Barry's hand. "Clint's mentioned you a lot."
"He's mentioned you too." Barry said.
"Glad to see you again, Barry," Steve said as the two friends shook hands.
"Glad you could be here, Cap," Barry said as Steve smiled. Barry frowned as he looked around the entire breach room. "Where's Tony? Rhodey? Vision?"
"We got a lot to fill you in on," Natasha said. "But right now, you've got more important things to deal with."
"Barry," Daisy said, tugging at Barry's arm.
Barry turned around as Cisco, Caitlin, Joe, and Wally stood aside, proudfully smiling at Barry. He made his way over to Wanda as he instantly saw the baby she held in her arms. A wave of emotion flooded over Barry as he slowly moved his hands towards the blankets the baby was covered in. Carefully and lightly, Wanda slipped Luke into Barry's arms as Barry held him. He lightly swayed his arms side to side as he gazed into baby Luke's eyes. Tears filled Barry's eyes as he felt the warm, blanket-covered Luke weighing down on his arms.
"Hey…" Barry whispered softfully to Luke. "I'm your daddy, Luke."
Luke looked at Barry in silence as he slowly raised his arm up, his hand reaching towards Barry's face. Barry held Luke higher up to his chest as he felt Luke's soft, tiny hand brushing across his jaw. Barry found himself buried in emotion as everyone eyed him. Joe, Harry, and Clint, having been fathers themselves, were particularly proud. Even Harry and Natasha were emotional to some degree as Harry one-arm hugged Jesse while Natasha held Bucky's hand with a tight grip. Caitlin and Cisco were happy. Daisy was smiling as she wrapped her arms around Barry, resting her chin on the side of his arm. Barry gazed into Luke's eyes as Luke placed his hand on Barry's chest.
"He has my mother's eyes," Barry whispered.
"Your eyes," Daisy added.
"I love you, Luke," Barry whispered as he gently kissed Luke's forehead. "And I'm gonna be here for you, no matter what."
"Alright, ladies and gents," H.R. declared. "Let's give the couple their privacy."
Everyone agreed as they all slowly left the breach room. Joe was the last one to leave as he smiled, patting Barry's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you, Barr," Joe said before turning to Daisy as he pointed to her. "Take care of him."
"I will." Daisy said with a smile.
Joe left as Barry turned around, facing Daisy, holding Luke in his arms. Barry sniffed through his tears as Daisy cupped his cheeks with her hands. She wiped his tears away with her fingers as he looked at her.
"Are you okay?" Daisy asked.
"I just…" Barry tried to say as he held his tears back, looking between Luke and Daisy. "I never thought I'd have this. I never expected this. I didn't expect to have someone I love, to have a child or a family…" Barry sighed as he struggled to contain his emotions. "I never expected to be happy."
Daisy smiled as she gently stroked Luke's head, both her and Barry looking at their child.
"Never say never," Daisy said.
"Never say never," Barry repeated as he and Daisy remained close to one another, both of them holding Luke. "I'll do anything to protect you two. I promise."
"I love you," Daisy whispered, resting her head on Barry's chest as she began to cry, mourning all the time she had to spend without him.
Barry kissed her forehead as he swayed Luke in his arms. "I love you too."
After a few moments, the pair calmed down as Barry and Daisy eyed each other, both of them having their hands on Luke. Barry suddenly smiled, causing Daisy to be confused.
"What do you say you and I take a vacation?" Barry suggested. "I mean, I can run at the speed of light now so we could go anywhere. All over the world, you name it. Paris, Italy, Greenland. Joe could look after Luke and you and I could go. What do you think?"
Daisy chuckled as she smiled. "I like the sound of that. Though, I'm probably gonna be worried about Luke the entire trip."
"Yeah," Barry huffed as he looked back at Luke, swaying the baby in his arms. "Me too. But he'll be safe. Plus, I think Joe is really wanting to spend time with his grandson."
"Let's do it," Daisy agreed. "Tomorrow?"
"Sure," Barry said with a smile, comforting Luke. "Joe and the team would definitely want some time with Luke."
"I'm gonna miss you," Daisy said in a playful tone as she gently rested her hands on Luke.
"We'll go back whenever you want," Barry assured. "I promise."
"Okay," Daisy said, looking down at Luke with a hint of sadness on her face as she remembered something.
"Is something wrong?" Barry asked, noticing the look on Daisy's face.
"Barry…" Daisy began. "There's something you need to know. About Tony and the Avengers…"
Later
In the cortex, Team Flash and the Avengers were evenly spread throughout the area. Caitlin had brought over a small crib-like bed for Barry and Daisy to put Luke, who had fallen fast asleep, in. The Avengers had taken the time to explain everything Barry had missed on, to him and to the rest of Team Flash. They told him everything. The accords, Tony, Rhodey, and Vision siding with them. How the accords demanded all enhanced individuals, Inhumans included, had to be tracked, monitored, before eventually being imprisoned. How Tony had forced Steve, Clint, his family, the others, and even a pregnant Daisy to be fugitives and go on the run. When Team Flash found out, they were reasonably horrified at Tony's ruthlessness and betrayal. Everyone in the room, especially Daisy and Steve, found themselves wondering at Barry's reaction. Barry was pissed.
"What the hell is wrong with Tony?!" Barry demanded, growling in a voice that would've made Oliver Queen and Bruce Wayne proud like parents. "The piece of crap better pray I don't get my hands on him. Or I swear I'll make him beg for his life."
"I'm joining you there." Clint muttered, pissed at Tony's treatment towards his family.
"Me too." Sam said, recalling how Tony had ruthlessly shot him when he had come to help Rhodey.
Caitlin, Cisco, Joe, Wally, Jesse, H.R., and Harry all looked over to Barry, concerned and confused. They had rarely ever seen Barry so angry and rageful and even they had, it was never to this extent. It was as if Barry had some sort of dark side to him that they didn't know about. Barry had rage that would've scared off Eobard Thawne and the team found themselves being genuinely concerned for this Tony Stark figure, despite his flaws. They knew the moment Barry got his hands on Tony, it would've been a bloodbath and the blood wouldn't be Barry's.
"Look, Barry," Steve said. "I get it. You're angry. But right now, we don't have to worry about Tony."
"He's right," Bucky agreed. "For now, we should just lay low. Get some rest and all that…" He then turned to Natasha as the two eyed each other with concerned looks. "I think we could all use that."
Natasha nodded her head. "I agree."
"Umm, I know this might be a bad time," Clint said as he looked over to Laura, Lila, Cooper, and Nate. "Is there any place you could get us?"
"I can try and see if there's an apartment we can get you guys set up," Barry offered. "But it might take a while."
"You all can stay with me," Joe offered. "There's plenty of room in the house and I don't mind taking the couch for a while."
"We can't ask you to do that, Detective West." Laura said.
"You're not asking," Joe corrected. "I'm offering. C'mon, let's get you and your kids a place to stay."
"Mr. West…" Clint said, an emotional look on his face. "I don't know how to thank you."
"You don't have to," Joe said.
"Any friend of Barry's is a friend of ours," Caitlin said.
"Joe," Barry said, turning to face him. "Thank you."
Joe nodded before turning to Clint, Laura, and the kids. "C'mon. Let's get you home."
As Joe, Clint, Laura, and the kids left, Barry turned to Steve, Sam, Bucky, Natasha, and Wanda.
"S.T.A.R. Labs has some lounges with some couches to crash on," Barry explained. "It's not much but it should be enough for you guys."
"I don't know about you guys," Sam said. "But that sounds wonderful to me."
"We'll take it," Steve said.
"I can take you guys there if you want," Wally offered.
"Sure man," Sam said as he, Wanda, and Steve followed Wally out of the cortex and into the halls of S.T.A.R. Labs as they headed to the lounges.
Harry and Jesse eventually left the cortex, Barry and Daisy followed as they took a sleeping baby Luke with them. Just as Caitlin was about to leave, she found herself face to face with Natasha, a concerned Bucky behind her.
"Can we talk to you?" Natasha asked.
"Of course," Caitlin offered as the trio went into the medical bay.
"Steve mentioned that Allen said you were a doctor," Bucky said.
"Yeah, I am," Caitlin replied, a look of confusion on her face. "Why?"
"We need a favor," Natasha said. "And we'd appreciate it if you could keep it between us."
Elsewhere, in one of the lounges, Steve, Sam, and Wanda were looking around the lounge. Wally and Jesse were chatting on the balcony of the lounge, a concerned Harry watching them from the counter. Barry and Daisy were standing by the door, Daisy was holding Luke in her arms as Barry stood close to her.
"So we're going tomorrow?" Daisy asked.
"Yeah," Barry said. "I've got some places in mind. But if there's any place you wanna go, I can get you there in less than a heartbeat."
Daisy smiled. "I think Wanda can watch Luke. I'll have to check with her, though."
Barry nodded. "I have to go check something with Iris. I'll be back soon."
"Iris?" Daisy asked in confusion as Barry looked at her.
"I have to tell her about us," Barry explained as Daisy came to a realization. "Not that she's gonna be too happy about that but she has to know. I can't let her run around thinking she and I are still together."
"Barry, is she-"
"She won't be a problem," Barry said quickly, putting his hand on Daisy's shoulder. "I promise. I love you and whatever I thought with Iris is nothing compared to that. I won't let her come between us and our son."
Daisy's face lit up with a smile. "You are so romantic, you know that?"
"I learned from the best," Barry quipped as Daisy blushed. Barry kissed her forehead. "Be back soon."
In less than a microsecond, Barry vanished, running off at the speed of light, a trail of orange lightning flashing behind him as he left.
Elsewhere in Central City
In C.C. Jitters, Barry and Iris were sitting at a table, sitting across from each other. They each had their own cup of coffee. Barry had come to CCPN, taking Iris by surprise. He'd asked her to come with him to Jitters for him to say something to her. Iris was surprised and agreed to come. She then became worried when Barry pushed her away after she had tried to kiss him. But she ignored whatever negative feeling she had. Barry was probably just a little…off after coming from the speed force. She would give him the time he needed. As long as he came back to her.
"So…" Iris said with a smile. "What's the occasion?"
"There's, uh, something I need to tell you," Barry said, holding his coffee cup with both hands.
Iris frowned upon seeing the serious look on his face. Normally, Barry was one with a smile on his face with an upbeat behavior. However, she was sure that it was nothing too problematic.
"Yeah, what is it?" Iris asked.
"Iris…" Barry said. "When I disappeared from Gotham, I went through a breach. I found myself on another earth. On Earth 199999."
Iris scoffed as she chuckled. "How many 9s is that?"
Barry ignored the question as he continued. "For you guys, I was gone for about a month. But for me it was two years."
"Oh, wow," Iris said, her hand shooting up to her mouth in shock. "Barry, I'm…I'm sorry you had to be so alone…" She put her hand above Barry's. "I know you need time. Whenever you're ready to continue, I'll be there. I'm here for you, I promise."
Barry pulled his hand away from Iris as he backed his chair away from her. Iris frowned in confusion as she reached her hand towards Barry, who backed away, ensuring that she couldn't touch him.
"Barry, what's wrong?" Iris asked.
"Iris, we can't," Barry deadpanned as Iris reeled back in shock. "We can never. Not again."
"W-why?" Iris asked, her eyes filling with tears.
"When I was on Earth 199999," Barry began. "I met the Avengers, they became my friends. Some of them are here now. But I didn't just meet them, I met someone. I met Daisy. We fell in love and she became pregnant. She's back at S.T.A.R. Labs…with my son. He's a week old."
Iris was in shock. She didn't know what to say. Her eyes were in tears as she stuttered. "Y-you cheated on me?"
"No," Barry said, shaking his head. "I didn't cheat on you. I moved on. I was there for two years. Away from you. I thought I knew love when we were together but I didn't. I didn't know love until I met Daisy. Until I could escape you. I wasn't in love with you, Iris. I was infatuated with you. But not anymore. Never again."
"Barry, you once told me that the sound of my voice would bring you home-" Iris tried to say.
"Except it didn't," Barry dropped as Iris found herself horrified at Barry's words. "I don't love you, Iris and frankly, you don't love me. I love Daisy and I have a family with her. She's my future and my whole world."
"Barry, leave her," Iris said. "You don't know what you're saying. This isn't you. Come back to me."
Barry scoffed. "No, Iris. I'm not coming back to you. Don't come back to S.T.A.R. Labs. You're a journalist, not a member of Team Flash. Go be what you really are. Don't try to come between me and Daisy. Or it's gonna be ugly for you."
Barry then got up from his seat as he left C.C. Jitters, leaving a sobbing Iris alone at the table. Barry didn't care anymore. It wasn't his place, nor did he want it to be. He loved Daisy and Luke. Not Iris. Iris would have to understand. Joe already did. Wally was clearly supportive of Barry and Daisy and in general, he wasn't too big of a fan of Iris. Barry had everyone on his side. No one supported Iris. As Barry entered a thin alleyway, he took off at super speed, heading back to S.T.A.R. Labs.
Night
Central City
In one of the lounges in S.T.A.R. Labs, Barry and Daisy were sleeping close to each other in a bed, covered under a large, shared blanket. Luke was in a crib close to them, sleeping peacefully, like Daisy. Barry, however, was disturbed. He was shaking, turning his head side to side as he panicked through his dream.
Barry pulled August through the portal before it closed, locking the two speedsters in the speed force. August screamed in pain, feeling the energy beginning to tear him apart. Suddenly, the speed force energy and lightning overwhelmed as he burst, going off in an explosion that would have leveled multiple continents. The wave of energy hit Barry, who screamed in pain, his speed force aura shielded him, increasing his durability but the explosion was still painful nonetheless. The next thing Barry knew, he was lying on the ground, Jesse standing over him as she spoke to Team Flash through her comms channel. Then, everything changed as he saw a certain, old, red-haired woman in an environment of black.
"Barry," Nora Allen said. "Wake up."
Barry threw himself upward in bed, panicking, his breathing accelerating as sweat covered his body. Luke was still asleep but Daisy had woken up. She immediately went closer to him, sitting upright and beside him as she placed her hands on the sides of a panicking Barry's face.
"Barry, hey," Daisy tried to say as Barry continued panicking. "Hey, it's okay. Look at me. Look at me. It's okay. You're okay."
Barry calmed down, his breathing slowing, his panic dissipating as he fell back on the bed. He sighed with relief as Daisy laid down beside him.
"It's okay," Daisy whispered, kissing his cheek as she stroked his arm. "You're okay."
"Okay," Barry sighed.
"Nightmare?" Daisy asked.
"Bad memory," Barry explained as he noticed Daisy's worried look. "I'm okay."
There was then a long silence between them as Barry slipped out of Daisy's grip, sitting up on the edge of the bed, hunched over, his elbows on his knees. Daisy moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his body as she rested her head on his shoulder. Barry placed his hands over Daisy's, which were on top of his heart. She could feel his heartbeat and its vibrations as Barry calmed himself, relaxing.
"I love you," Daisy whispered, kissing his cheek.
"I love you too," Barry whispered back.
"C'mon," Daisy said, tugging at Barry's arm. "Let's get you back to bed."
Elsewhere in Universe 1
Space
In the outer edges of the solar system, a large, advanced, alien ship flew at a fast and accelerating speed. Inside the ship, a large group of aliens, commonly known as the Dominators, walked throughout the hallways of the ship.
"We have entered the humans' solar system," a Dominator said to another. "We will arrive on their planet soon."
"Good," the other Dominator responded as they spoke in their native language. "Let us arrive and together…we will capture Barry Allen."
A/N: That'll be all here.
Barry broke it off with Iris once and for all. I'll get rid of her by the next chapter or the one after.
The next chapter will see Barry and Daisy go on their vacation and the Invasion crossover kicking off. The chapter after that will be Invasion part 1, then 2, 3, and so on, so forth.
I think it's safe to say that it's a no-brainer what Natasha and Bucky needed from Caitlin.
Also, seeing as how Tony's actions did make a pregnant Daisy have to rogue, it only makes sense Barry would be pissed at him. Tony better pray he doesn't cross paths with Barry anytime soon. LOL!
The Invasion crossover will see four special guests outside of the Avengers, Daisy, and the same characters that showed in the canon version of the crossover.
