Well this chapter is huge. Happy Saturday! :)

Thanks for all the support and comments, especially after my whiny session last chapter. I'm just going to shut up, put my head down and write. It's better for everyone!

Thanks for everything guys. :)

Shout out to Flashfan and Island Gem, thanks for your words.

As always, thanks for reading and I really hope you enjoy it! :)

Chapter 5

The following week was full of activity for both Barry and Iris.

Iris had her full time job as a journalist as usual, but spent her breaks and lunches tracking down Barry's friends from "his other life", as she ended up calling it.

Barry spent his days doing the actual tracking.

He found Cisco on his lunch break, where he worked at a computer programming company. Cisco and several others were busy battling robots they had made themselves. Barry had to laugh watching him; he looked the same as ever. Cisco whooped as his robot decimated the competition, leaving his coworkers groaning in dismay.

"I am the champ! Again!" Cisco laughed, going out to retrieve his robot from the makeshift ring. Since everyone was leaving now that the entertainment was over, Barry took the opportunity to approach. He meandered up to Cisco, pretending to have just happened on the situation.

"Wow, that's a really cool robot. Nice job." Barry smiled in a friendly way.

Cisco grinned. "Thanks man! I'm working on getting to the next level; some guys at a competing company have a group too. RoboRooter here and I are gonna slay!" He held up his prized robot warrior.

Barry nodded politely, repressing a grin at the name. He noted how Cisco's dress code had not changed. The man obviously still had an impressive collection of t-shirts. "Have you ever thought about building things like that for a living? You know, for a lab or a scientific company?"

Cisco gave him a dubious look. "I'm good at building killer robots, but I don't think I'm that good. Besides, it wouldn't be fun anymore if I was doing it for a living."

Barry couldn't help the grimace that quickly crossed his face. Memories of Cisco's brilliance and enthusiasm contradicted Cisco's own statement. Barry felt a wave of sadness. What had happened?

Looking at him, Barry realized that no amount of explanation or reasoning would convince Cisco they had once been friends and worked together. He also couldn't see a way to get any help from him without taking a big risk. He had no idea how the other man would react.

He noticed Cisco was giving him a wary look now and realized how much of his thoughts must have shown on his face. He smoothed it out and looked at his watch.

"Oh, I better get going. Well, nice to meet you, and really, really nice robot. And great name, too." Barry knew his parting smile had a tinge of sadness and turned away quickly before Cisco could pick up on it. He walked away, realizing how final it felt.

In some ways it felt like his friendship with Cisco had died just like Joe had.

But…

That evening he got to see Iris after work. Just seeing her as she walked out made him feel better. She smiled at him and reached for his hand. The warmth of their contact eased some of the distress he was feeling.

They spent their time eating dinner and watching random television. After a long discussion, they decided rigging his suit with a bluetooth device and hiding the phone inside the suit would allow them to communicate when he was out fighting crime, since the comm. system inside it was basically useless. Barry was reminded of his team at S.T.A.R. Labs.

Barry confided his feelings of loss after meeting with Cisco. Iris gave him a hug and told him that they'd get through it together, just like Joe. Her presence and caring were a balm to his injured spirit. They spent the rest of the evening on the couch cuddling together, enjoying the closeness.

The next day Barry's encounter with Caitlin wasn't much better. She was working for a genetics lab. Barry hung around outside the building, waiting for her to get off work. He wasn't exactly sure how to approach her, since he was pretty sure she wouldn't have a battling robot to help kick start a conversation.

Groups of twos, threes, and fours left the building, chatting and laughing. When Caitlin left, she left alone. Barry noted now she pulled her coat tighter and wrapped her arms around her waist as she walked. She looked completely pulled into herself. He blew out a breath as he approached, hoping he wouldn't get maced.

"Um, excuse me? Do you have the time?" Barry tried to look as non-threatening as possible. Caitlin still gave him a wary look. She stopped a few feet from him but checked her watch.

"It's 6:25." Barry used the opportunity to scout out her hand and noted that there was no engagement ring on it. Even after she'd thought her fiancé was dead she had worn it. Barry had to assume she hadn't met Ronnie in this timeline. Considering the place where they'd met didn't even exist here that was hardly surprising.

"Oh. Okay. Umm thanks." He was trying desperately to think of something new to ask her but had no idea what it could be. She looked as closed in as she had when he'd first met her, if not more so. He realized how much good knowing Ronnie and Cisco had done her. Right now it looked like a chisel and a hammer wouldn't break into her reserve.

She nodded, unsmiling, and continued toward the parking lot.

Barry watched her go. As annoying as her mother hen tendencies had been in the other timeline, he had at least always known she cared. This Caitlin looked like she barely cared about anything. Without S.T.A.R. Labs in her life and the people she had known there she was so cold. Barry remembered her resistance to his crime fighting idea at first, and then how she'd discovered she enjoyed helping Barry help people. Like him, she had found a purpose after suffering tragedy. But now she was like a butterfly trapped in its cocoon, destined to slowly suffocate in the layers she had made to keep herself safe without ever transforming.

Barry mourned the loss of another friend.

But…

That night after Iris got off work they invited his parents to go to dinner with them. They spent the evening talking and laughing. Stories were brought up from both Iris and Barry's youth. They discussed plans for the future, and then Henry regaled them with the story about his courtship of Nora and how his proposal had gone. Nora laughed and blushed, and when the story was finished Barry's parents kissed and smiled into each other's eyes.

Iris's hand closed over his, and when he looked at her he knew exactly what she was thinking: His mother was alive and his father wasn't in jail. He smiled at her, at the same time missing Joe and feeling guilty about the loss of her father. She seemed to know his thoughts too and leaned forward to kiss him. Their hands stayed together under the table.

By the end of the night Barry's heart was full of happiness and it took a while to come back down. He and Iris purchased a bluetooth and phone, then went home together.

Since Iris was having trouble finding any information on Harrison Wells, Barry set his sights on Ronnie next.

He was helping to build a shopping center on the edge of town. Barry lingered and watched him laugh and joke with his co-workers, eating pizza on his lunch break. He was easygoing and cheerful. And so relaxed. Too relaxed.

Ronnie looked like he was still a basically good person, but Barry knew how much more there could be.

Ronnie was the man who had become half of Firestorm. The man who had sacrificed himself to make sure the particle accelerator explosion was directed up instead of out, thereby saving much of the city and many lives. This Ronnie looked like he was perfectly content as long as he had pizza and a beer nearby.

Barry didn't even bother to approach him. There simply was no point.

That night Barry put on his suit for the first time since he had shown it to Iris and took her to a romantic spot he had scouted out earlier. After she got used to the idea of traveling via speedster, she was amazed and impressed by his skills. He used his speed to give her a lightshow. They spent their time together talking and laughing, and when Iris teased him that he looked lean and attractive in his suit, Barry kissed her with the mask on. That was a first in any timeline.

Barry tried not to remember how badly he'd bungled things up with Iris in the other one. It didn't seem to matter now anyway.

Professor Stein was teaching at the university, same as before. There was nothing to indicate that he'd ever conceived project F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. at all.

Harrison Wells was nowhere. Not a trace of him could be found, though Iris tried diligently for several days. Even her fearsome skills as a journalist provided nothing.

Barry ran out of people to check up on and instead began dropping in on his parents more and more while Iris was at work.

One afternoon he helped his mother garden and assisted his father in building a shed in the backyard. When Henry went inside to get them both a drink, Barry used his speed to quickly finish over half of it. His father was duly impressed when he returned; Barry acted innocent and said he had just gotten on a roll.

They talked of Iris and life and past experiences. Barry hugged his parents every chance he got and tried not to act too emotional at having them back in his life.

That Sunday Barry and Iris went to brunch at the Allen's home. Iris helped Nora in the kitchen while Henry and Barry set the table.

The weather was sunny and warm. They all relaxed on the back porch after eating. Henry and Iris went inside to look up a possible honeymoon destination on the computer.

Barry was staring into the distance, lost in thought. Nora sat in the chair next to her son and studied him. She noted his slightly disturbed expression.

"Penny for your thoughts?" She smiled softly at him as he turned her way.

Barry tried to put his thoughts into words without giving too much away. "Mom, do you think I've reached my full potential?"

Her face registered surprise and concern. "What do you mean by that?"

Barry shifted in his chair as he tried to express himself. "I've-met some people I used to know this week. And they all seem like they haven't reached their full potential. It's like I know they could be so much more. Do you think I'm like that too? Maybe I should have set my sights higher than being a teacher. I could've, I don't know, been a CSI or something." Barry peeked at her from under his lashes to see her reaction.

She was gazing at him with fond patience, just like when he was a kid. "Barry, there are a million choices we each can make in our lives. What do I always say?"

Barry smiled. "There is good and bad to everything in life. Happiness and sadness exist side by side."

"Exactly. There is nothing wrong with being a teacher. You want to help people learn. That is a noble calling. Being a CSI helps people another way. I don't think you're under your potential. Maybe you just didn't have the motivating factor to become a CSI."

Barry froze, his breath hitching in his chest. It was almost like she knew. "What kind of motivating factor?"

Her brows knitted together for just a moment; it was as if she wasn't quite sure what she was saying either. She shook her head and smiled. "Many people find motivation through their life experiences, that's all. You were raised in a happy home but bullied quite a bit at school. So you used that motivation to be a teacher. You want to try to make life better for other kids. Many people who go into the justice system have undergone a huge trauma in their past, and that is their way of taking control of the pain. Pain can be quite a motivator, Barry."

Barry looked at her. "So you're saying because I haven't suffered serious trauma in my past I didn't have the motivation to be a CSI."

"No, I'm saying that the trauma you did suffer being bullied shaped who you became today. That's all."

Barry nodded slowly, staring at his lap. He had always known that he had become a CSI and investigated the impossible because of what happened to his mother. But he hadn't expected so many other things to be different once he changed that. Maybe he'd been wearing blinders, not thinking about the possibilities. The difference in his team was what really shook him. He felt adrift as the Flash without them. He was so glad he had Iris to center him.

He absently rubbed his knee and mumbled, almost to himself. " I still want to help people."

Nora laughed softly. "That has always been who you are, Barry. Even when you were young. I don't think anything could ever change that."

Barry smiled back at her, feeling better. He could still help people. The Flash wasn't gone. Just a bit more of a duo than a team now.

He said goodbye to his old team with a touch of regretful sadness.

His mother, ever in tune with his emotions, put her hand on his and gained his attention. She looked into his face with true motherly concern. "Is everything okay? Are you unhappy with your life?"

"No!" Barry said quickly. "No, I love my life right now! I have both my parents and Iris, the love of my life. I'm very happy, I promise." He shrugged. "I just didn't expect so much to be so different I guess. It takes some getting used to. And I feel a bit guilty."

Nora's expression was puzzled, and Barry could tell he'd said too much. He could practically see the next question forming in her mind. He was trying to figure out a way to divert the conversation when Iris and Henry coming through the back door saved him.

"Never mind, the hotel I was thinking of closed ten years ago." Henry told Barry and Nora. He gave Iris a rueful self-mocking look. "It's been a while since we've been there apparently." Iris giggled.

Nora laughed. "A while? Henry, it's been a good thirteen years."

Henry grinned at her. "What can I say, time with you has been so wonderful it went really fast." He gave her a smile, arching his eyebrows. She tried to roll her eyes and groan, but ended up laughing instead.

Barry laughed out loud. "Smooth, Dad. I'll have to remember that." He felt Iris's hand on his shoulder and reached up to squeeze it. When he turned his face up to her he saw she was laughing too. She leaned down to kiss him, and when she straightened up Barry turned to see both of his parents looking at them. Barry wondered if their happy faces were what he looked like very time he looked at them.

On their way home that night Barry turned in his seat to look at Iris.

"I think it's time to get the Mardon brothers. The Flash needs to get back to work."

Iris nodded. "Test run tomorrow then." They shared a look full of determination.

It was time to get justice for Joe.

"Can still you hear me?"

"Loud and clear."

"Awesome." Barry continued through downtown Central City, zipping through traffic. The quality of the sound wasn't quite as good as Cisco's original comm. system, but it worked well enough. He hoped the wind didn't interfere too much. He really hoped the bluetooth device they'd fastened inside his hood didn't come loose. "Got anything for me?"

Iris was sitting at the kitchen table with her computer, her phone and a police radio scanner set up next to her. A bluetooth device was in her ear as well. She turned away from the scanner to draw up a map of the city on her computer.

"Police are responding to a possible jumper on the building at the corner of fifth and park."

"Got it." There were a few seconds of silence, and then Iris could hear a sudden yelp over the line. "He's down." The faint sound of police sirens reached her ears. "And delivered to the authorities so he can't go back up."

Iris realized her mouth was open. "Wow."

Barry laughed. "Anything else?"

Iris returned her attention to the scanner. "One minute. Oh, wait." She listened another few seconds. "Oh! Robbery, gas station, 220 Long street."

"Sweet!" Barry zipped around a corner. "I've missed this!"

Iris laughed. "You are so cute when you get excited."

"Okay I can legitimately tell you no one has ever said that to me over my comm. before. Oh, wait."

The sounds of surprised men squawking and what were probably punches came through. "Would-be robbers tied up and waiting for the police. I put the money the clerk just gave them back in the till too."

Iris shook her head, smiling. "I can't believe my fiancé is a secret crime fighter in red."

"That is also something no one has said over my comm. before."

"Well, let's go for three. I love you."

Barry laughed. "I love you too."

Iris was still grinning when the police scanner started up again. She'd had no idea how much actually happened in this city. Maybe it was just a busy night. The grin faded as she listened. "Barry, there's a house fire on Orchard Street."

He immediately changed direction and headed for Orchard Street. There was silence on the line. Iris waited in suspense.

The sounds coming through her earpiece were muffled due to the roaring sound she assumed had to be the fire. She heard crashes and cries for help, and then Barry's voice.

"It's okay, I've got you-" his words disintegrated into a startled yell, and Iris could hear the shattering of glass. Silence returned.

Her heart was in her throat. "Barry?" There was no answer, though she could hear the sounds of approaching sirens. "Barry!"

Barry had easily seen the house fire from down the street as he approached. The structure was engulfed in flames, and looked to be a total loss. He could see the stricken residents on the sidewalk, counting children. They were a large family. As he arrived it became very obvious that one child was missing. The mother began to run back up the lawn to the house, but her husband pulled her back and approached himself. Barry grabbed the father, left him on the sidewalk with his family, and headed straight into the house.

He didn't waste time trying to talk into his comm., Iris had no technology to help him in here. He saved his breath as the nearby searing flames increased his body temperature, thinking about the layout of the house.

There was no basement in a house this old, probably just an old cellar. Any bedrooms had to be upstairs. So that was where he went. Several steps gave way under his weight, even though he was going faster than any typical person would. He searched two bedrooms and come up with nothing, but the third yielded a nine-year-old boy laying on the floor next to his bed yelling for help. He had been smart enough to tie a shirt around his face to avoid smoke inhalation but too scared to chance getting out of his room. Barry stopped, instantly bent down next to him. The boy went silent, gaping at him.

"It's okay, I've got you-"

Barry had the boy in his arms but hadn't even finished his sentence when the fire reached the bedroom. The wood floor was old and dry, and the flammable chemicals stored next to the doorway for the boy's model building and painting were a death sentence. In suspended time Barry caught sight of the chemicals exploding, and a wave of flames roared straight towards him. His words became a startled yell.

He turned fast enough to keep them from reaching the boy, but his concern for his charge made him not quite fast enough to avoid the flames himself. He felt the side of his exposed face burn as a flickering tongue reached for him. Still carrying the boy, he turned and threw himself toward the window. His shoulder and back hit first, effectively shattering it and providing the necessary escape-which turned into rolling down the sloped roof of the covered front porch. He held the boy close and tried to protect him as he reached out for something to stop their descent.

He managed to grab onto the rain gutter with one hand and maintain his grip on the boy with the other. He hung there for a moment, and then looked down to see that the father was running to their position.

"Barry?" Iris's voice was in his comm., but he was too busy handing the boy off to his father as the latter stretched up to receive his child. Once that was accomplished Barry swung to the ground, just in time for his fiancée's voice to come in as a much more demanding one.

"Barry!"

"Sorry, I'm okay. Everything's fine."

The fire department had arrived. Barry flashed a smile at the grateful family gathered around him and left. He could hear Iris's sharp exhalation over the line, then her voice came in much more calm.

"Okay then. Next time answer the first time I call you."

Barry chuckled. "Sorry, was a little busy right then."

He could hear the sarcasm in her voice as she replied. "Let's get this straight. You are never too busy to answer me. Got it?"

He grinned. "Yes ma'am." He set his course for home.

On his return, Iris hugged him tightly. She disregarded the smell of smoke coming off him and held him close, glad to have him back safe. His arms wrapped around her waist and his head dipped onto her shoulder as he gave her the reassurance he knew she was seeking.

With a last squeeze, Iris stepped back to assess the damage. She gave a soft exclamation as she saw the side of his lower jaw where he had been burned. Her fingers reached toward it, but he caught her hand in his, holding it away.

"It's okay. I heal fast, remember?"

Iris kissed his covered chin softly, as close as she could get to the burn. "Right."

As they headed upstairs for Barry to change, Barry declared it a successful trial run. Iris had to agree.

It was a few hours later, as they were getting ready for bed, that Iris actually did touch the half-healed burn on his face. He had just finished brushing his teeth and turned to her, surprised at the small frown on her face. She was looking at the burn.

"I thought you said you healed fast."

"I do." Barry turned towards the mirror and studied it. The burn was healing, and it was healing faster than normal. But still, even worse burns had healed faster than this in the past. A couple of hours should have been plenty. He too frowned slightly, studying the burn in the mirror.

"Huh. Weird."