A/N: Day 3: Superpowers Wednesday. In this next part, we're moving over to Earth 1. I couldn't decide where to start with these two, so I picked it up after their 'second' kiss on the porch. Warning, fear and heartbreak ahead! Please read and review. Thanks, everyone!

~o~o~

Chapter 3: Be Without You

The West house, a half hour later:

Iris was beginning to truly worry about Barry, then she glanced at her watch. Maybe he had an emergency, she wondered. She turned to Cisco, but he hadn't made any calls. She stood up and went outside. "Where is he?" She pulled out her cell phone and the call didn't go through; no rings or anything, then a voice recording said that the call cannot go through; to call again later. That was odd, she thought.

Then for some strange reason, her heart began to pound with dread and uncertainty. She went back inside. "Cisco, Barry isn't on the porch. Did he call you or leave you a message?"

He checked his cell phone. "No, I don't see any calls from him." He turned to Caitlin. "Caitlin?"

She pulled out her phone. "No, no calls. What's going on?"

"I can't reach Barry and I don't know where he is," she replied. "Dad, something's wrong; I can feel it." Then she thought the worst. "He wouldn't do that; would he?" Eyes watering; she glanced at her Father again, hoping that it wasn't true.

"Honey, what are you thinking?" Joe asked then he read her face. "Oh no," he said as that horrible thought came into his mind.

Caitlin and Cisco both had terrible thoughts as well. "No, no, don't think that way," Cisco said.

He took Caitlin's hand. "We'll find him; I know we will. We can trace him back at the Lab."

"I'm coming with you," Iris said and grabbed her bag and her jacket.

"I'll wait here if he comes back home," Joe said.

Wally had just come back downstairs. "Where are they going?"

"Barry is missing and they're headed to the Lab to try and trace him," Joe replied.

"They seemed pretty upset," Wally said. He glanced out the window and Cisco's car sped out from the driveway. "Alright, Dad, tell me what's going on."

Joe then sat his Son down and explained a few things about time travel.

~o~o~

An hour later, Iris returned home, distraught and very upset. Wally and Joe helped her to sit down and waited for her to speak. "He's gone; there's no sign of him."

"But how could that be?" Wally asked. "Dad said that he may have," he couldn't finish.

"I guess our love wasn't strong enough," Iris said, holding it in. All the way home from the Lab, her tears were there but she managed to hold them in. "He left us without a word; I can't believe it."

"So, it's true; he went back in time to save his Mom," Joe sadly stated. Then he thought about it. "And Cisco wasn't able to find him with his 'vibe' powers?"

"No, he tried and tried but he couldn't," Iris replied. "He said he would keep trying, but he could be anywhere, any universe; there are so many." Her heart felt like it was shattered broken into a million pieces. She stood up and went upstairs.

"Iris?" Wally asked, then stood up and followed her.

Joe stopped him with a touch to his arm. "No, Wally, let her go."

Wally wanted to cry; he felt her pain. "Is she going to be alright?"

"I don't know. All we can do is be there for her," Joe sadly replied.

Iris slowly made her way to her room. Closing the door, she leaned against it. Still in shock that he would do this, she walked over to the dresser and picked up a photograph of them as teenagers. They were so happy, then their last words to each other came into her mind:

I love you, Barry.

I love you too, and I always will.

"He was saying goodbye." Still holding the photograph, then the tears came, a choking sob escaped her throat and then she slid to the floor and curled into ball sobbing as if she would never stop. "No, no, this isn't happening. No, Barry no," she choked out. "He's gone and he's not coming back."

"Iris?" Joe heard her sobbing and peeked inside.

The look on his face said it all. It was actually true. "What am I going to do?" She fell into his arms holding him close. "I can't breathe; I can't breathe."

He helped her to the bed and he removed her coat and her shoes. "Lay down take a deep breath. You're going to be alright," he said but he was doubtful. He went into the bathroom and brought her some water. She took a sip and went back to crying. Joe didn't know what to say to her.

He stroked her shoulder. "Maybe he'll come back soon; we can't give up hope, honey."

"I can't even think about that; I can't. He's gone and I don't know how long. My life is over Dad."

"Don't say things like that. He will come back; I know he will."

She wiped at her eyes with a tissue and tried to be strong. "I can't live my life waiting for him to come back after he left me without a word." Now she was getting resentful.

Joe didn't blame her for feeling this way. He didn't know how to put it so that she wouldn't just give up. "I know he loves you, Iris. Just ... just try to remember the good times."

He held up the photograph. "The good times."

"I'll let you rest." He paused. "I love you, sweetie."

Her eyes watered again. "I love you too, Dad."

Iris lay back down and stared at the photo; she stroked it with her fingertips and began to gain a bit of perspective. "I understand, Barry; I do. It just hurts so much. I wish you well, but you have to come back to me; you have to."

~o~o~

Six months later:

On the rooftop at Jitters, Iris sat down and looked up at the night sky thinking of Barry, where he could be what he was doing, and with whom. Up there on the rooftop, a part of her always felt close to him; it was their special spot. She would never forget their talks before she knew the truth about him. Looking back, she knew she was falling for him. It's strange to think back at those times, but those feelings would never go away. She still loved him and she always would.

"There you are Sis. I knew I would find you up here." Wally streaked over to her. His powers had come in months ago. He sat down and kissed her cheek.

"You know me too well. So, how are things over at the Lab?"

"They're quiet for now; I wish you would come back."

"I can't go back there; too many memories," Iris said and glanced down at her hands.

Wally put his hand over hers. "We knew it would take time, but you can't shut yourself off from people who love you and care about you."

She'd heard it all before. "I'll think about it," she thoughtfully said. "I just keep remembering the things I said to him on the porch that night."

"What things?" Then he thought about it. "Please don't tell me you're blaming yourself for what he did."

"I can't help it. I told him to go wherever he needed to go; do whatever he needed to do; and that I would be here waiting for him."

"Look at me, Iris. Barry is a grown man; he knew what he was doing when he decided to leave us and change the past and our future. It was his decision; certainly not yours."

He wiped her tired eyes. "I know you're right, but I just wish he would come back; that's all."

He put his arm around her shoulder. "I know you do." He touched his ear. "I got to go."

"Bye, Wally and thanks for listening," Iris said.

"I love you, Sis and I'm here for you." He squeezed her hand.

"Thank you Wally; I love you too," Iris said, then he was gone.

A few minutes later, just as she was about to leave, the wind blew her hair. "Did you forget something?" No answer. She turned and there he stood. Iris shook her head. "I'm imagining things." Her heart pounded then she closed her eyes.

"Iris," Barry spoke her name the way he used to.

The wind blew her hair again. She slowly opened her eyes and she saw his red boots. Her eyes slowly moved up his legs, his waist, his chest with the Flash emblem was there. She gasped and his eyes were shining as if in tears. "Barry?" She whispered stunned.

He held out his hand. Iris didn't know what to do. But then she reached out and took it and it felt firm and hard. "You're real?"

"Yes, Iris, I'm real." He pulled her up and clutched her tightly in his arms. Iris burst into tears. They were both crying unbelieving that he was really there.

After a few moments, she whispered, "Take it off." She meant his hood. He removed it and then he kissed her deeply. After a minute, she pulled away, still stunned he was actually there and he still loved her. "It's really you!"

He nodded then he kissed her again as if he couldn't get enough. She kissed him back holding him tightly to her. Her hands moved over his face and into his hair sobbing her need for him. He picked up and streaked over to the house.

The next thing she knew, they were in her room, the door was closed and locked. Barry stood there staring at her.

"Please tell me this isn't a dream or is it a nightmare?" He was silent. "Am I going to wake up and find you gone from my life?" Tears threatened again.

"No, Iris, I'm here; I'm really here. I'm back." Barry thought there is one way to prove that he was definitely real.

But Iris was still worried. "I don't know if I can trust you with my heart, Barry, I mean," she started. His face fell.

"I knew you would feel this way and I don't blame you." He took her hand. She didn't pull away. "I love you Iris and that will never change. I won't leave you again; I promise."

She desperately wanted to believe him. "I want to believe you, Barry; I do."

He understood. "Just let me kiss you and hold you. Is that Okay? I've missed you, Iris, so much."

"Oh, Barry, I believe you and I missed you too." Decision made, she decided to trust him. All she could think was her Bear was home; he was home. She went into his arms, holding him close. He kissed her passionately then helped her remove her clothes. She watched as he stood up and streaked out of his clothes in seconds only wearing his boxers.

Iris giggled and raised her arms inviting him in. After a few minutes of kisses and caresses, Barry wanted to talk some more. He never expected her to accept him like this, but he was ready for them to do this. His life these past six months were not what he expected. To be honest, he didn't know what he had done to change all of their lives.

At first it was wonderful having his parents back; they accepted him as being fully grown, but when he went in search of Iris, he found her with someone else, married to someone else, another speedster who looked like him, but it wasn't him. Stunned and heartsick, but deep down, it didn't truly surprise him. They were destined in any universe; he even said it himself. That universe had a speedster; they certainly didn't need another one.

After a few months of stalking her, following her around town, Barry realized something truly important. He had grown up; he couldn't run away from his past or his future. He'd lost count of all the times he found himself on the rooftop at Jitters or by the lakeside, but he managed to avoid her not like on Earth 2. His parents were worried about him but they understood what was happening. He explained why he had to go back, hoping and praying that it wasn't too late. They wanted him to stay but they also wanted him to be happy.

With no powers, he contacted Joe West and Harrison Wells and asked for their help to recreate the accident. He was willing to go through it if again if it meant returning home. It took a lot of time and planning, but he refused to give up. Then he went in search of his love. All during his search of three different universes, and finding out that Iris was married in two different timelines, he continued to search for 'his' Iris, which seemed like forever, but he found her.

Dismissing those thoughts of being without her, and thanking the stars that she hadn't given up on him, he buried his face in her neck, then he whispered the same words to her, "I love you, and I always will."

Iris was so relieved to hear those words, then she pushed him away. "You truly mean it?"

"Yes, I do and I want us to be together from now on. No more doubts about anything because we love each other; I'm ready to accept it whatever may come." Her eyes watered; he stroked away a stray tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry I left you, Iris, and," he began.

She shushed him with touch to his lips. "We can talk about that later, much later." She smiled at him. "I'm so glad you're home to stay; you are; aren't you?" She was still worried.

"Yes, Iris, I'm here to stay," he whispered fervently. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. His passion for her overruled his thoughts of them not being ready for this, but he didn't care. He just wanted her beneath him writhing and thrusting her hips against him; he needed it like the air he breathed. His foreplay went on and on and Iris beginning to think that he was torturing her because he didn't seem as if he wasn't going to stop.

"Barry please, don't make me wait any longer!" She was ready, so ready for him.

Barry was ready too. He could hardly hear over the blood pounding in his ears. He needed her desperately; he'd thought of nothing else since leaving her behind to find peace. But right at this moment, his body demanded release and she was most definitely ready. His hand smoothly stroked down her flat belly slipping a finger inside her heat. Iris whimpered and arched her back. His lips and tongue replaced his fingers and Iris nearly screamed; it felt so good. He wanted to go on and on loving her in this way, but she was definitely ready for him.

Barry closed his eyes and slowly entered her warm sheath holding still for a moment as her heat closed around his throbbing erection. He moved slowly at first then he picked up his rhythm quickly and began to move in and out of her lush body. Soon they were riding that crest to the stars. He pushed harder and faster and then his powers kicked in. She was stunned at first to feel the vibrations but then she welcomed it fully, never expecting that it would feel so amazing. Barry saw her reaction and he was very pleased.

Iris moaned so loud that he had to cover her mouth with his to keep he quiet. Kisses were exchanged and then he could feel her muscles tense as she cried out her climax pulsing through her. He kissed her passionately then pulled her tighter against him as his climax crashed over him, as they both sighed with bliss. He held her tightly to him for a few moments until they were both able to breathe easier. As he began to slowly leave her body, Iris kissed him again, as if she wanted more.

"Iris?" he asked and sighed against her throat, but then he found himself hardening again.

"Oh, yes!" She exclaimed ready for him as she pulled his head down and kissed him again.

All too soon, it was morning and Iris was curled up next to him with a little smile on her lips.

He watched her for a moment then he watched the sun come up. He had to wonder what was going to happen next. They truly did need to talk, but he needed her with him all the time; night and day, but he had to leave. Joe and Wally weren't home, but it would be really awkward if he ran into them.

Barry extricated himself from her arms, got dressed, but he left her a note to meet him on the rooftop at Noon today.

"I love you, Iris," he whispered and realized not much else needed to be said.

Iris slowly awakened just before he was about to leave. "I love you too."

Smiling at her teasing grin, it took everything in him to leave her like this. Tearing his eyes away from her face, he left her so she could get some rest.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: Where Do We Go from Here? Alicia Keys.

A/N: I'm sorry for the heartbreak at the beginning. Iris basically forgiving him had me thinking, but it did feel right on so many levels. They missed each other a lot. Now, how Barry will return is anyone's guess, but I like this one (meaning a fixed timeline). Iris being married in two universes seemed like a good idea; it definitely woke Barry up. I hope you enjoyed it. In the next update, we'll see more of E1 Westallen; more apologies and explanations coming up; no question. Thanks for reading!