[Change the future.]

Barry opened his eyes with a gasp. He blinked and connected with his speed. Rapidly checking the surroundings, the sight nearly summoned tears. Not being told of his destination unnerved him immensely, but he appreciated it presently.

When Barry was in his timeline, there were days where he wished that he could time travel and correct every mistake. There were days where he accidentally connected with the Negative Speed Force. There were days where he regretted being the Flash all the loss it brings.

So, he wanted to end his Vigilantism. Maybe seek out a therapist while he was at it to unravel the mess that was his mind.

Whom was he kidding? Probably, the Thinker was the only one who might've been able to do that.

And then, a voice spoke to him on the fourth anniversary of his retirement. It gave him a year to prepare for a second chance. A chance that Barry doubted from the start. With nothing better to do, he polished skills, knowledge, and items he wanted to bring. Nevertheless, he carried no hope.

He was wonderfully wrong. He successfully time traveled, or more accurately, time had rewound.

What a surprise, Barry thought. It became a win in and of itself when he realized that he wasn't seriously hurt. Usually, being wrong costs lives. He would know.

Where he was at now is a location of history. The place where it all began; Star Labs.

Judging by the wires hooked on to him and his increasingly concerned companions, he discerned that he was at the beginning. There was much to do from here, but he craved a good look at his present best friends for now. It was only an hour ago did he say his goodbye to several tombstones. Theirs was among the many.

Barry inhaled deeply and pacified himself.

Cisco Ramon and Caitlyn Snow, two magnificent, brilliant individuals that complete OG Team Flash.

God, they are young. No dark eye circles. Barely any stress lines. A sense of innocence. They haven't been through the horrors yet, and he didn't want to involve them. This time he won't.

For now, he had to respond before they do something. Not reacting to the touching, talking, and flashing lights does not paint a good picture for mental wellness. It was his fault for not keeping track of a weakened Flashtime.

"Caitlyn! Get the-"

"Wait," Barry said, grabbing Cisco's shoulder. "I'm okay."

"You sure, man?" the Latino man inquired, searching for any lies. "You went all Metapod on me with that stare."

Barry chuckled, inwardly giddy. "I don't think I look like a two feet green-skinned insect, do I?" He missed Cisco.

"Recognition and no signs of memory loss," the sole female of the group commentated, analyzing. "Physical body absurdly healthy. Must be the strange cellular regeneration..."

"I'm becoming healthier," Barry added, already knowing the answer.

Caitlyn nodded and replied, "Yeah. I don't understand why. Your body should have evidence of some levels of atrophy, but instead, you have..." At that point, she stopped talking. With a cough, she turned around and wrote down a few notes.

Her eyes were last at his chest, and he couldn't help himself. He and Frost loved teasing Caitlyn.

"Caitlyn."

"Hm...?"

"It's okay to look at me. As a healthy, adult woman, it's fine to check out a man and his muscles."

She faced Barry with a blank look. "I'm not checking you out."

Ronnie, Barry remembered. Now, he felt stupid for saying something like that. Going back to old habits and familiarity was not going to happen. It sucks, but if he could handle burying them, then he can rebuild what they once had.

"If you say so." Going back to Cisco, he asked, "How long have I been passed out?"

"Nine months, Mr. Allen," answered a person from behind them.

A part of him was glad that he heard a Wells after so long.

But he could never forget the bastard who killed his friend and wore his body. Timeless Wells should've had far more than four years to spend with his wife. Indirectly, Barry blamed himself for not stopping Thawne when he had the chance. So many people had gotten hurt unnecessarily.

Thus, with three years of acting classes under his belt, he greeted his worst enemy.

"Dr. Wells." Even the name felt disgusting to annunciate.

"Welcome back. We have a lot to discuss."

After a short, repeated summary of the past nine months, Barry and the Star Labs group ended up in one room. They just finished telling the future speedster about Joe and Iris visiting.

"I think I should go."

Caitlyn stepped forward. "No, you can't!"

"No. No. Caitlyn's right." Dr. Wells admitted. "Now that you're awake, we need to do more tests. You're still going through changes. There's so much that we don't know."

Barry stood there, faking his action of thinking. After a minute, he looked at the door and turned back at them.

Lamenting, he said, "All right. Let's do them, but after I secure my job. I'm pretty sure I lost it and my apartment."

Dr. Wells sighed. "Fine, but hurry."

"Thanks a lot!" he excitedly replied, leaving the room. "I'll be back!"

"Well..." Cisco started. "He was nice."

"Odd too."

"How so?" questioned the curious cripple.

She bit her lip. "I'm not sure."


'Criminal guy and job. Prevent death and my homelessness. Meet Joe and Iris...'

Ding.

Exiting the elevator, he went straight for the man he longed to see. Barry went towards the man who took him in.

"Barry," he whispered in disbelief.

Barry smiled, his clenched fist resting in his pockets. "Hey, Joe. Long time no see." To see his father in all but blood felt like a miracle. How long has it been since his passing?

Joe stood up and hugged his adopted son. "Barry! You're awake."

"Yep, and I'm back for good."

"We missed you here, kid."

"Me too, Joe." Barry beamed. "Me too."