A/N: So I decided to change a bit of the direction that this story will be taking, but I think I like it better this way. I'm introducing another Rogue this chapter that wasn't in my original line-up, but I think his character is crucial to the plot and helps make things run a lot more smoothly than they did without him. Hope you enjoy this next chapter and please feel free to give me your feedback via reviews or messaging regarding the addition of this other character and the chapter/story as a whole. Thank you so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed and/or favorited this story! You guys are why I keep writing this!

-BG

"This is so weird," said Barry as he sloshed through the puddles surrounding the coroner's body.

"Weird is an understatement," said James Townsend, one of Barry's fellow CSIs, as the man in question picked up a chunk of ice. He quickly put it in an evidence jar and into the cooler bag he had brought. "At least they don't have far to take the body..."

Barry gave James an exasperated look, but ignored him. After all, James was just trying to make light of a rather bad situation. "How many ice chips have you collected so far?"

"Four or five. Why?"

"Why don't you take those back to the lab and freeze them again before they melt too much? We need to make sure we preserve as much of the evidence as possible."

James nodded. "You sure you can handle this on your own while I do that?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Why?" Barry frowned, giving James a hard look.
"Nothing. It's just it's your first day back to work you know and I wanted to make sure you were ok. Don't want you to overwork yourself day one." James shrugged. "I mean..."

"Yeah... Thanks, but I'm fine. Really. Working actually helps a bit."

James nodded. "Gotcha. You just let me know if you need anything, ok?"

Barry nodded. "Thanks. I will."

James took the cooler and left with a brief nod to his coworker, rushing past Joe and Eddie who were deep in conversation. Their eyes locked on Barry and the CSI stood, approaching them. "What's going on?"

"Barry, you're going to want to hear this." Eddie handed him a recorder, pressing play.

"Tell me who killed Clyde Mardon."

"Ok! Ok! It was Joe West! Detective Joe West! Please! Just don't hit me again!"

"Oh. I'm going to do much worse than that..." There was the sound of an electric charge and a scream split the air before Eddie silenced the recording.

Barry glanced warily at Joe whose expression was grim. "Joe... Who was that? It's not...? Right?"

Joe nodded. "Mark Mardon. I'd know his voice anywhere."

"Know whose voice anywhere?" The trio turned to see Captain Singh approaching them.

"Mark Mardon, sir," said Eddie, "He's alive."

"And he probably can control the weather like his brother." Barry returned to the coroner's body, lifting the dead man's shirt to find baseball sized bruise patterns. "My guess is that Mardon beat him with hail." Barry check the rest of the man's body and found more evidence to confirm another suspicion. "And then he electrocuted him. He probably used lightning for that."

Singh frowned, looking between the trio and the body. "You're positive?"

"Absolutely." Barry stood again, almost slipping in the water before steadying himself on the examining table. "If Mardon's powers are anything like his brothers, they seem more precise and even more dangerous."

"And he's coming after Joe," added Eddie.

"I see." Captain Singh frowned. "Mr. Allen, I believe that you will need to stay attached at the hip to Joe."

Barry nodded. "I'll do what I can. It'll be suspicious if I stick too close to him all the time, but..."

Captain Singh nodded. "I suggest splitting your time between your civilian identity and your other uniform. I'll have James cover your case load if it helps. He managed fairly well when you were gone. I'm sure he can manage for a little longer."

"We'll still have to be careful," said Eddie, "If he's coming after Joe, Barry and Iris could be targets too."

"Just as you could be," said Singh.

"Then the three of them need to be under protective custody," said Joe shortly, "I don't care what happens to me. If Mardon attacks Iris, Eddie or Barry-"

"Joe." The sharp tone in Barry's voice shut up his foster father almost immediately and Joe turned to Barry, the detective's face still fixed in a frustrated expression. "Not. Here."

"I agree," said Singh, "We need to get back to the precinct and then we can discuss how we're going to handle this. I'll swing by the Picture News office and pick up Iris. Allen, would you like to accompany them or me?"

Barry glanced at Eddie and Joe who shared a quick look before nodding to Barry. Their decision was clear. "I'll go with you, Captain. Eddie and Joe at least know what to expect right now. Iris has no idea what's coming."

Singh merely nodded, turning away to bark at the other officers present, ordering them to handle the crime scene in lieu of Eddie and Joe leaving. He motioned for Barry to follow him, which the CSI did, though not without throwing a look back at Joe and Eddie. They had to stay safe. They has to stay safe until he got back. They had to.

Mark nearly slammed his head against the library computer monitor in frustration as he once again failed to access the records at Iron Heights, his amateur level hacking the equivalent to throwing a pebble at a brick wall.

"There's easier ways to do that you know." Mark gave a start, spinning around in his chair to face whoever had spoken to him. A bespectacled man maybe a few years younger than himself stood behind him, leaning up against the bookshelves behind him. If Mark wanted to guess, the man looked like some sort of prissy prep school, Ivy League snob. Aside from the man's posture, the overconfident sneer on his face sealed the image. "Hacking into Iron Heights' database."

"Oh really?" Said Mark warily, fighting the urge to rise up out of his chair and wipe off the man's stupid smirk, "Do explain."

"Allow me."

Mark slid his chair back from the computer, giving the man a mock flourish toward the computer. "Be my guest."

The stranger completely ignored him, settling himself in front of the keyboard. Instantly, his smirk was replaced by a look of intense concentration. His fingers flew across the keys, his eyes flitting back and forth across the screen faster than Mark thought physically possible. A few minutes of intense typing later and the man stepped back from the computer. "Done."

Mark frowned, glancing at the man momentarily before focusing on the computer screen. It was exactly what he needed. Prisoner records. Transfer transcripts. Upcoming court date transportation detail. Prison schematics. It was all there. "How'd you do that?"

"I've always been good with computers," said the man flatly, "In any case, it's the same type of software we used at STAR Labs."

"You work at STAR Labs?" Mark looked at the man with new found interest.

"Used to. I was fired right before the particle accelerator exploded," said the man, looking quite bitter, "Harrison Wells fired me and blackmailed me so he could keep me from warning every one about the chance it would explode."

"Can't say I wouldn't mind getting my hands of Harrison Wells," admitted Mark, "But I have other priorities. Besides, I can't say I have a problem with what his machine did to me."

The man turned to Mark curiously and Mark obliged him by conjuring a ball of hail in his hand, feeling a sense of pride in the man's curious look shifted to both alarm and fascination. "The particle accelerator changed you. Just like the Flash."

Mark blinked, dissolving the hail into a wisp of vapor. "You've met the Flash?"

"Met. Fought. Tried to kill. Been imprisoned by him and his crew over at STAR Labs. Escaped." The man returned to leaning up against the bookshelf. "What's it to you?"

Mark managed a small smile. Talk about a coincidence. "Not much... He just happens to be the reason I'm looking to break into Iron Heights."

"Care to share?" Asked the man, his right eyebrow rising ever so slightly.

"Depends," said Mark, "What else can you do?

"And that depends on why you're looking to break into Iron Heights," replied the man, "So your question really should be, what can we do for each other?"

Mark merely smiled a little wider. Despite his initial impressions, something told him that he would need this man's help if he intended to succeed with his plan. Mark extended his hand. "Mark Mardon."

The man shook Mark's hand. "Hartley Rathaway." He plopped down in one of the other computer chairs. "And whatever you're planning to do, I'm all ears."

Singh cast a glance in Barry Allen's direction as he drove toward Central City Picture News, the CSI and part-time hero looking vacantly out the window, obviously troubled. "...I should have made you take another week off."

Allen gave a start. "No. I'm fine. Really. I'm just thinking about Joe and Eddie. I was thinking that maybe I shouldn't have left them..."

"They'll be fine. From what we know of Mark Mardon, he's a lot more careful and a lot more intelligent than his brother. He'll form a plan before he goes after any of you and that will give us time to form our own plan and get Iris somewhere safe."

Barry snorted, his disbelief stunning David. "And where is safe? The precinct isn't with Mardon after Joe. The Lab isn't safe with Wells-"

"Allen. Breathe. We'll figure something out. We always do." David turned his attentions back to the road, but made sure to keep an eye on Barry anyway. With the way the young man's mood was lately, he was liable to just race out of the car and head long into danger. Not that he could blame Allen for the situation he was in. Joe and Allen had told him the truth about Harrison Wells not too long after they had discovered that the supposedly crippled scientist was indeed the Reverse Flash. It had taken all of David's control not to have the scientist immediately arrested, despite the intense pleas from Joe and his foster son. He particularly remembered telling them both at one point that 'Harrison Wells was a criminal and a murder and needed to e put behind bars yesterday. He had another retort all ready to shoot down the next argument, only for Allen to actually make logical sense for once and explain why they couldn't just arrest the man. Barry was nowhere near recovered enough to handle Wells if they made their move now, the psychotic speedster already a tough match for Barry on a good day. They would have to bide their time if they wanted to make sure Wells didn't slip through their fingers.

Admittedly, it seemed logical at the time, but there was an all too obvious strain between Allen and Dr. Wells whenever they were forced to interact that it was starting to become quite noticeable. So noticeable, that David didn't doubt that Wells knew that they were on to him. The disturbing part was how Wells continued to play the part of the crippled yet brilliant mentor as if nothing had ever changed, meaning that either he was quite oblivious or that he was being extraordinarily patient. The latter thought chilled David to the core. Still, he'd rather deal with someone he knew was a threat in a place he knew was secure rather than the precinct where Mardon could waltz in whenever he liked. Sure, he trusted his officers, but none of them would be a match for Mardon.
"Allen, I think you need to take a deep breath and think this through. Wells may be at STAR Labs and he may be your man in yellow, but the fact is that we know he wants to keep you alive. And keeping you alive means keeping your friends and family alive as well."
"And you think he'll actually do that?" Said Barry.

"I don't know. The one thing I do know is that despite all this, STAR Labs is a far safer place than the precinct or anywhere else, Wells or no Wells."

Barry sighed, looking back at the Captain. "...you're basically saying that despite whatever his intentions are with me, Wells will still help me. That he'll help us."

"'The enemy of my enemy is my friend,'" said David, "And he did save you, Thawne, and Mr. Ramon from Snart when he could have very well left you three to die."

"He was probably saving us so he could have the pleasure himself," commented Barry.

This time it was David's turn to snort. What had happened to the normally optimistic CSI he had known for many years? "Don't be bullheaded, Allen. If he had wanted to do that, he would have done it. He would have taken you and left Thawne and Mr. Ramon for dead. The man doesn't seem to let an opportunity slip past him unless he has a much stronger and more important reason."

Allen gave a small nod, clearly comprehending what David was saying, even if it seemed that the CSI didn't believe him in the slightest. Well, it was a start. Maybe Iris would be able to talk some sense into her foster brother.

Cisco was out testing his newfound powers at the practice field at the old Ferris Air Strip when his phone started ringing, Caitlin shooting him an irritated look for having his phone on in the first while she was testing him. "Sorry, Caitlin." He pulled his phone out of his duffle bag, spotting Joe's name splattered across the screen and answering it right away. "Hey, Joe. What's up?"

"We have another metahuman in town. It's Clyde Mardon's brother, Mark. He killed the coroner a few hours ago."

Cisco frowned and put Joe on speaker for Caitlin's benefit. "Wait, hang on. Mark Mardon is alive, he's a metahuman and he killed the coroner?"

"He came trying to find out who killed his brother," said Joe.

Cisco blanched and glanced toward Caitlin, seeing her eyes widen fearfully. "Please tell me he didn't find out…" Joe didn't respond. "Shit. What are you going to do? What do you need? Is there anything we can do?"

"I'm going to be hunkering back at the precinct with Eddie until the Captain and Barry bring Iris back here. After that, we don't really have a plan yet. As for what I need, I might need a favor. Back when Mark's brother was causing trouble, did you put any thought into something that could stop him? Some sort of device?"

Cisco nodded briefly before he remembered that Joe couldn't actually see him. "I had an idea for something. I never really had time to put it together since Clyde Mardon died, but I still have all the parts I'd need to make it. If I got back to the Lab now, I could have it ready in a few hours."

"Please. And Cisco?"

Cisco frowned at the hesitation behind Joe's voice. This next favor wasn't going to be something so simple as a piece of tech. "Yeah…?"

"Call Wells and ask if we could turn STAR Labs into a sort of home base. It's too dangerous for us to stay at the precinct and STAR Labs can be locked down against Mardon."

Cisco swallowed, shuddering. The idea of being in STAR Labs and under lockdown with Dr. Wells made his stomach twist into impossible knots. He still had yet to sleep through the night without one of his many Wells centered nightmares ruining it for him. The feeling of Wells shoving his hand through his chest? That was something he would never forget for as long as he lived.

"I'll do it," said Caitlin, "I'm sure we can arrange something at the Lab for all of you." She rubbed Cisco's arm comfortingly and Cisco thanked God quietly for having such a wonderful friend in his life. "Don't worry, Detective. We'll figure things out on our end and let you know when we're ready for you."

"Thank you. Both of you." Joe let out a world weary sigh on the other end of the line. "I'll see you guys in a few hours then."

"Hopefully sooner," said Caitlin, "If you need anything else, please, don't hesitate to call us."

"Thank you. I won't."

The moment Joe hung up, Caitlin was immediately beginning to take down their equipment. Cisco took off the sensors that dotted his body and started to help her, the whole process taking less than five minutes. They needed to get back to the lab immediately if they wanted to stand any chance of keeping their friends safe.

Harrison let out a long sigh as he watched the footage from inside Captain Singh's car and the footage from inside Joe's car. He'd placed the two cameras in there only a week ago and they were paying off big time. After the incident with the Rogues, he had kept a close eye on Barry, finding him disappearing from his radar at irregular times, but at regular intervals. Eventually, he had realized exactly why this was happening when his one of his cameras finally caught Cisco and Barry discussing his status as the Reverse Flash. Fascinating. They had figured out his secret through some unknown means and informed everyone who knew of Barry's status as the Flash about Harrison's duplicity. The group were undoubtedly planning a way to trap him and were being quite careful to hide their plans from him. What had impressed him most about the situation was how well the others had been handling themselves around him with the exception of Barry. Barry was being far from subtle with his distasteful glances and general rudeness to Harrison, despite the annoyed looks that Cisco, Caitlin and Joe kept sending to Barry to try to stop the young man. Not that Harrison could blame him. All the anger and rage the boy held for him, it was a wonder he hadn't already snapped and attacked Harrison the moment he found out the truth.

Harrison leaned back in his chair and waited for the call that would undoubtedly come his way, asking for Barry, the West's, and Detective Thawne to stay hidden at the Lab. He'd immediately agree to help of course. He didn't want them to know he was aware of their plotting against him. In fact, there was a chance Mardon's attack was exactly what Harrison needed to force Barry to help him. If he helped Barry, maybe the young hero could be leveraged into doing what Harrison wanted of him. Maybe. There was still a lot to do and so many events that had yet to occur. He would be ready however. He would be ready to back Barry into a corner, leaving the Scarlet Speedster with a choice, a single offer that would save or destroy the boy's future.

It would be an offer Barry Allen could not refuse.