Central City Police Department

Morning

"My god." Cecile breathed as she and Eddie stared at the video of Thawne murdering Cisco.

Felicity had run a program to scramble the audio that made Barry suspect of being The Flash, but it had kept the import stuff: Thawne's confession to Nora's murder, his true identity, and the murder of Cisco.

"Detective, do you know anything about this Eobard Thawne?" Cecile asked as she looked over at Eddie.

"No, I didn't even know there was an Eobard Thawne in the family." Eddie admitted, still in shock.

"According to him, he's from the future, so you wouldn't." Barry pointed out and two pairs of eyes stared at him incredulously.

"Time travel, really Barry?" Eddie asked.

"We just saw that he has powers that are the same as The Flash's. If he could run fast enough, he could theoretically punch a hole in the space/time continuum, allowing him to move through time." Barry explained as Eddie and Cecile stared at him skeptically.

"Okay, for the sake of argument, let's say you're right. Why hasn't he gone home to his time?" Cecile asked.

"According to that video, he can't." Barry pointed to.

"Well, the whole time travel element aside, we have the footage of him murdering Cisco, as well as his confession to murdering your mother." Eddie said, shooting an apologetic look at Barry.

"I have evidence that Thawne killed the real Harrison Wells as well," Barry announced to their shock, "and Mason Bridge claims to have evidence that links Thawne to the disappearance of Simon Stagg."

"Okay, this is enough to get an arrest warrant for Thawne on two counts of first degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice. I'll see what I can do about getting your dad out of prison Barry." Cecile said as she took the flash drive with the video and walked out.

"Well, if there's anything good that's come out of this, it's that your dad might be getting out of prison." Eddie said trying to be optimistic.

"A week ago, that would've made me the happiest guy in the whole city…now I just feel numb." Barry said before following Cecile out of the room.

Central City General

Same time

Joe was watching the news when someone knocked on the door to his room. Joe looked over and smiled upon seeing Caitlin.

"Hey, come on in stranger." Joe said as Caitlin made her way inside.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" Caitlin asked softly as she walked inside.

"Well, doc says I need to keep this," Joe gestured to his injured leg, "in a cast for a few weeks, but I should be fine. I get out of here this afternoon at least. How are you doing?"

"Do you really want an answer to that?" Caitlin asked bluntly.

"I'm sorry." Joe said after a few moments.

"For being right or for Cisco being dead?" Caitlin asked.

"I'm just…sorry. Do his parents know?" Joe inquired and Caitlin sighed as she all but collapsed into the chair by his bed side.

"I called them before Barry and I left for Starling City. His mom answered and I just…I told them how much we loved him and what happened, or an abridged version of it. Then I just listened to her cry," Caitlin smiled bitterly, "it's funny, they seem to care more about him now that he's dead than when he was alive."

Central City Picture news

Later in the morning

Iris was at her desk, trying to work on a story but having difficulty concentrating. She sighed looking up and her heart leapt into her throat as she saw Barry walk into the building. Before she knew what had happened, Iris stood up and walked over to him.

"Barry-" Iris began.

I'm not here for you," Barry said not unkindly as he looked at her sadly, "have you seen Linda around?"

"Yeah," Iris said as she deflated, "she's over there."

Barry nodded to her shortly before he turned and walked over to where Iris had pointed Linda out. Linda was talking to some of her coworkers when she looked up and saw Barry approach. The smile that had been on her face slide off and a serious expression replaced it. She said something to her coworkers before meeting Barry halfway.

"Wow, so you can make time for me." Linda said sarcastically and Barry winced, both because of her words and because he knew what he was about to do would make it so much worse.

"I deserve that," Barry acknowledged, "Can we talk somewhere privately?"

Linda nodded and led him away. She led him into a conference room, closing the door behind him.

"So, what's going on Barry?" Linda asked as she crossed her arms and Barry sighed.

I'm sorry Linda." Barry said and Linda instantly knew where this was headed.

"You're breaking up with me," Linda realized and Barry nodded sadly, "Is this because of Iris?"

"No, it's not, but I don't blame you for thinking that," Barry said, mentally scolding himself for how he'd treated Linda, "I just realized that I can't be with anyone right now."

"Barry, are you okay?" Linda asked, noticing he seemed…off.

"My past is coming back to haunt me," Barry sighed wearily, "Until I'm able to put it behind me, I can't be with anyone. Maybe one day, when I have, if you're still open to it, there can be an us again. For right now, all I can say is that I'm sorry Linda."

Barry kissed her on the check before walking out. As he was making his way back into the main area, he ran into Mason.

"Ah, Iris' friend/brother. I see you're still around." Mason greeted causally.

"I was just leaving. Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I need you to come down to the station." Barry said and Mason was thrown.

"For what?" Mason asked wearily.

"You said you had proof Harrison Wells killed Simon Stagg. Well, let's see if you add it to the list of crimes that are piling up." Barry told the stunned reporter.

I like Linda and I like her relationship with Barry, but I just couldn't find a way to fit either into the story., so it had to be written out rather than having it just be a footnote.