Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait but hopefully with the first chapter of Part II it would be worth it! Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Flash nor its characters.

Barry's POV

Barry jolted awake. His chest heaving, his heart rate racing, he was breathless. As Barry took in his surroundings he settled back down on the mattress, his hair sticking to his forehead as his body was dampened with sweat. It was the same dream again. The same nightmare. His breathing evening out, Barry threw away his covers sitting edged up on the side of his bed unable to find sleep again. As the beg sagged as he pushed himself of the bed, Barry threw on his clothes and sped out of his apartment.

Needing the air, Barry ran through the empty streets of Central City. For the most part, the city seemed to be asleep, a light with the bright street lights that guided him to his destination. With the wind and power rushing past his face Barry could help but get engulfed in his own thoughts. Thoughts of who he was… where's been and questioning where he was going.

Barry Allen was the fastest man alive. When he was a child he saw his mother killed by something impossible. His father went to prison for her murder. Then an accident made him the impossible. And he became the Flash. He used his powers to find the man responsible for his mother's death. He thought that he'd finally get justice for his family. But he failed. It's been six months, since the singularity, six months since I lost everything. He was on his own now and decided that it was better that way. It kept the people he cared about… people he loved safe. There was only one thing he could do now… he continued to run.

*Crime Scene*

As morning broke through the horizon, and the sky was painted in pastel shades of yellow and orange, Barry stopped himself to join the police at a new crime scene. With people starting to gather around the scene, obviously taking a break from their morning routes to work in order to fulfil their curiosity and seek out some office gossip, Barry sighed heavily as he tore through the crowd of strangers towards the victim.

Rolling his kit off his shoulders to the ground, Barry knelt by the victim and began examining the scene. As Barry gathered evidence and drew theories, his attention focused aggressively at the task at hand in attempt to keep his mind off whom and what had been keeping him up at night. Barry didn't know how much time had passed, that he hadn't known when Joe had gotten to the scene until he heard his familiar voice break through the abundant sounds of police chatter on radios and the incessant buzzing of onlookers and reporters hungry for information.

"How's it going?" Joe asked with and eager ear for an update in how his son was coping.

"Hey. Good." Barry said curtly as he kept his attention to the body in front of him.

"How you doing?" Barry added after clearing his throat.

"Good."

With his eyes peeling up for a short glance at Joe, Barry nodded genuinely happy, that Joe was doing alright before yanking his head back down.

Barry could feel as the awkward tension began to rise between them. Barry's eyes flickered around him, uncharacteristically he began seeking out escape routes when Joe began to speak.

"So the victim's name is Al Rothstein. He was a wielder here at the nuclear plant. Co-worker found him her this morning." He said reading off his notepad.

Barry listened attentively as Joe relayed over the witness statements, his legs aching in the process from squatting still by the body. For some reason Barry thought it'd be better if he didn't move. And for that same reason he didn't know why it was a good one. Nevertheless he remained where he was.

"So what you got?"

"Uhhh peticia on his face and the whites of his eyes and this bruising around his neck." Barry relayed over the evidence as he pointed towards the victim neck and face.

"So he was strangled?"

"Ahem." Barry concurred as he stood up stretching out his legs.

"By someone very strong and very large" he prompted.

"Or something." Joe teased the last word as he looked pointedly at Barry.

"Wh- This wasn't Grodd." Widening his eyes at what Joe was insinuating, Barry shook his head in disagreement.

"Oh thank god."

Barry looked over to Joe as his chest fell in relief. Clearing his throat Barry, leaned down to gather up his things before leaving.

"Hey, look I'll let you know when I find more." He mumbled as he threw his kit over his shoulder.

Before Barry could make his escape, Joe caught him, his voice pulling him back into conversation.

"So this Flash Day thing... I'm hoping your planning on making an appearance."

"Uh, I haven't decided." Barry muttered not avoiding Joe's scrutiny.

"Bar- I heard the mayor was planning on giving you the key to the city." Joe emphasised.

"I don't need an award." Barry said flatly tilting his head up to look Joe square in the eye.

"You love getting awards, like all those science trophies you got in high school."

"Those I deserved. I'll let you know what I find alright?" Barry said his lips set in a firm grim line before leaving almost immediately.

"Alright." Barry heard Joe whisper behind him.

*Jitters*

Barry worked hard and fast. Fixing what he had broken, he found that in the quiet of the night he felt he was actually doing something to help this city. Since the singularity occurrence, Barry hadn't felt as much as a hero as everyone had saw him. So fixing local business he felt as though was the first step to try and earn the right to that hero. It wasn't much but he thought it was as much as he could do.

Coming to a halt, Barry dusted off his hands as he looked around surveying how much more he needed to fix. Suddenly the screeching of the back door opening, Barry snapped his head in the direction to find Iris dodging the mess around the room as she made her way towards him.

"You know if you ever decide you don't want to be the Flash… you have a good future in being a contractor." She teased lightly as she stopped before him.

Barry smiled weakly at the joke, although more than anything he had been feeling more like a handy man than a hero.

"Thanks. Yeah I'm just trying to ah put it all back exactly how it was before th—you know." He coughed, clearing out his throat to try and break the rising tension.

Unable to look at her straight in the eye, Barry turned away and began to busy himself with clearing up the mess he had created.

"Seems like a lot of local businesses are being re-built at night. In secret." She hinted as she tilted her head to the side to look at him.

Barry didn't answer. Instead he just shrugged his shoulders.

"I was thinking about writing an article about it for the paper." She continued.

The comment caught Barry's attention. Immediately turning towards her, Barry noticed she was slightly a taken back by his sudden movement.

"Don't. Please." he begs her exasperated.

"Look, people have heard the stories. They've read the articles. They may have seen the red streak racing past them. But they have never seen the Flash… Barry." She stressed as her eyes darted between his eyes serious about writing the article.

Barry's face grew slightly dark.

"So that's why you're here? You came to talk me in to going to the rally cause I'm—I'm not going to go." He said flatly, his voice hinting that there was to be no argument.

"People just want to thank the man that saved Central City." She defended.

"Well they can't because that's not me. You… Caitlin… you should know that better than anyone!" Barry objected stepping back feeling heavy from the guilt left from that day.

Iris didn't respond. She knew he was right. It was the reason he was pushing everyone away. So that he wouldn't lose any more people he cared about. He made a promise.

Barry watched in silence as Iris rummaged through her purse pulling out a folded piece of paper and handing it to him.

Barry unfolded the paper and looked down. In a bright colours of red, yellow and orange was a public invitation to welcome and celebrate the man who 'saved' Central City. Him. The Flash. Barry's hands gripped the paper tighter as he read the lies. He knew… she knew it wasn't true. He wasn't the hero that day. Eddie was. Ronnie.

"Central City believes in the Flash."

"And so do I." she finishes before leaving him alone and back in the silence of his thoughts… thoughts of that day.

*Flashback*

Barry continued to run even though his legs began to ache. He pushed through the pain. If he stopped everyone he knew…. Everyone he didn't would die.

"Barry it's working keep doing what you're doing!"

"I don't think I can. Cisco!" Barry shouted back his voice tense as he pushed through the immense pain in his legs.

Through muffled voices he heard breaking through the coms, Barry tired hard to concentrate on their voices. Anything that could help tear him away from the pain. But it was useless. He could understand a thing that they were saying. When the voices died, and all Barry could hear was silence and his own ragged breathing in the chaos he was in, Barry didn't even notice until he felt the heat. All of sudden they were there in the middle of the storm with him. No! Barry screamed as F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M looked down to him with a small smile.

"Keep her safe." Their voice echoed to him.

Barry knew it was Ronnie talking to him. No! Before he could do anything, before he could say anything, they tore the splicer off their chest creating an explosion that threw Barry out. As the singularity began to dissipate and all the remains of torn buildings and wrecked cars fell around him, Barry's eyes strained for any sign of Ronnie and Dr Stein. Through all the falling debris Barry's eyes caught Stein falling unconsciously below him. Finding the last surge of energy Barry raced towards him, catching him as they fell back down towards the ground. Barry drew a sharp deep breath as he increased his momentum as they fell. He forced the electricity in his body to burn through to every muscle in his body, pushing them down at a speed that will bring them down safely. As his feet found solid ground Barry, skidded to a halt crashing them to a stop against the building's concrete walls. Barry knelt over Stein, reaching out, seeking out his pulse. Barry closed his eyes in relief as he felt a thread of a beating under his touch. With Stein okay, Barry tore his eyes back towards the sky, frantically searching for Ronnie. Where are you? Where are you goddamit! He shouted to himself as his eyes scoured the clearing sky.

As Stein stirred, Barry snapped back to check on him. Stein looked around him.

"Ronald?"

Barry stomach dropped. He couldn't say anything. He just shook his head.

In the next moment, Iris… Joe and Caitlin came running to meet them. Barry's heart clenched as he saw the sight of Caitlin come running into his arms. She peeled herself away immediately her eyes drifting from him, to Stein and back. Her eyes searched his. His heart fell as without a word she knew his answers. Ronnie didn't make it. Her eyes filled with tears she couldn't contain. She shook her head in ignorance.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, taking her into his arms and holding her while she wept. In that moment he knew he couldn't forgive himself. He had hurt her again. In that moment, he knew if he was going to respect and keep Ronnie's promise to keep her safe, he'd have to let her go. He'd have to push everyone he loved away. For her sake and for everyone he cared about.

Caitlin's POV

*Mercury Labs*

Caitlin busied herself with work fighting every instinct, every urge she had to be by Barry's side the rally. When she saw him down at the rally she had to stop herself from running to him. Unsure if he was hurt or not she had to believe that he was okay. It was the only thing she could do, to get her through the day.

"So this is what it looks like inside Mercury labs." A familiar voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Looking up from her desk, Caitlin spun around to see Cisco, her friend smiling broadly at her as he entered the room.

Caitlin couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face. She was genuinely glad to see a familiar face. Admittedly, she now had the opportunity to see how Barry was doing.

"Security is way better here than it was at S.T.A.R Labs with what people walking in and out of the cortex all the time." Cisco laughed.

"Hi Cisco." Caitlin replied with ease.

"Sweet ceric is that a 6K proton splicer?" For a split of a second, Cisco's attention was called to a machine shelved deep in the wall. Caitlin couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes it is. Dr McGee insists on having all the latest technology." She smiled gleefully.

Caitlin's eyes followed Cisco as he eyed the piece of machinery lovingly. She watched as he breathed out and turned to face her once again.

"Woah! You deserve it!" He said genuinely.

"I spotted you. At the rally today... And I'm guessing you saw what happened." He prompted.

"Cisco. I can't come back." She replied shaking her head, her eyes drawn to the floor.

"Okay, check this out. We found this on a victim at the nuclear power plant. But the badge shows absolutely nothing. Nothing at all, which is soo weird. What's also weird is that the same time that metahuman grew all the x-ray machines in a mile radius went belly up..." he continued to babble.

"Cisco..." Caitlin cocked her head to the side as she said his name. She couldn't go back and he knew why.

"Just… if you could just see if the badge was tampered with or something. I mean if it's broken or whatever… It would really help." He pleaded. His eyes practically begging.

Caitlin looked into that puppy dog eyes. There was no way she could say no. As she bit down on her bottom lip contemplating what she should do, she huffed out in defeat and turned away to grab some equipment.

Behind her she could practically feel Cisco silently jumping with glee. As she grabbed something off the shelf, she took a moment before spinning around and jumping Cisco with the burning question she needed answered.

"How is he?" she said her voice almost audible.

Caitlin's eyes searched Cisco's as he looked at her somewhat surprised it took this long to ask.

She held her breath as she waited for an answer. Cisco looked away, his face slightly dropping as he spoke.

"He's okay. Still the same. Determined to do things on his own. Stubborn as hell. But okay." He finished.

Caitlin let out a long breath of relief. At least she could relax now that she knew he was okay.

Barry's POV

*CCPD Lab*

Barry stared absentmindedly before as the world around him continued to spin. Barry's mind was so full of thought and memories that he couldn't even think clearly. He couldn't hold onto one thought before another pushed its way across before his eyes.

"Mr Allen? Barry Allen?" A strange voice called to him.

Blinking rapidly, Barry pulled himself out of the darkness he had been reliving, to set his eyes upon a sturdy man in a grey suit. With his hands on either side of his chair, Barry used them as support as he pushed himself up off the chair greeting the man with a firm handshake.

"Yeah." Barry confirmed as he asset the guy in front of him. Barry watched him carefully as the man introduced himself cordially.

"I'm Greg Turk. I'm an attorney at Weathersbe and Stone. I don't usually make house calls but I've been trying to get in touch with you for several months." He explained as he spoke casually with one of his hands as the other was shoved deep in his pocket.

"Ugh yeah… yeah I'm sorry about that I've just been um I've been really busy with police work." Barry mumbled as he looked around the room indicating the mess that had been amounting on his desk over the past few months.

The man in the grey suit nodded as he took a quick glance around the room before jumping straight to the agenda at hand.

"We need to talk about S.T.A.R Labs. As you know Harrison Wells left the property to you as part of his living trust."

"Yeah ,which I did not ah ask him to do. But I've been keeping the place up." Barry interrupted taking a step back to rest against his desk, growing uncomfortable at the mention of Wells name.

"Well it's going to take more than cleaning the floors to retain it I'm afraid. The facility and the real-estate are scheduled to go into receivership at the end of this week… Unless you watch this." Greg Turk finished pulling out the hand from his pocket and handing Barry an USB drive.

"What is this?" Barry asked flatly holding up the drive between them.

"A video message drafted by Dr Wells." He stated.

"What's on it? Have you seen it?" Barry began to interrogated.

He had no care for what Wells' had to say. He was gone, his dad was still in prison… Eddie was dead and so was Ronnie. Whatever Wells had left him, he didn't want to hear it. It was because of him that all of this happened.

"No. He was very specific. It was only to be watched by you."

"The device will send me a notification after you viewed it. And at that point I'll have everything ready to execute."

"I'm not going to watch that." Barry replied bluntly as he threw the drive on his desk. His eyes never leaving the small piece of metal.

"Well that's up to you Mr Allen. I'm only here to represent Harrison Wells' final request. Good day." Turk finished leaving Barry to deal with heavy mess Wells left behind.

As Greg left and the silence began to settle itself back in the room. Barry stared at the drive, contemplating hard whether to watch the damn thing or to throw it out the window. Barry didn't know how long he was staring, until his computers alerted him to activity at S.T.A.R Labs.

Yanking the drive off the table and into his pocket, Barry flashed straight to S.T.A.R Labs.

*S.T.A.R Labs*

As Barry skidded to a halt posed ready to attack any intruder, Barry was surprised to see Cisco, Iris, Stein and Joe back in the lab. Relaxing slightly Barry straightened up as he looked sternly around the room, to the people he pushed away to protect. What were they doing here? Why were they here?

"What are you guys doing here?" Barry's voice echoed through the once abandoned building.

"Working." Iris stated flatly as she turned back to the computer and Cisco.

"So Caitlin was right?" She responded to Cisco.

Obviously continuing the conversation they were having before Barry speed into the room. With the mere mention of her name, Barry subtly looked around him, his eyes instinctively seeking her out. Barry hadn't seen her since they lost Ronnie. He couldn't bear to look at her, knowing that when she looked at him, she'd blame him. Hell, she had the right to. He blamed himself. He wasn't fast enough. He never was.

"Yes all humans contain small amounts of radiation due to contact with cell phones, microwaves, televisions etc. Our bodies are natural conductors." Stein began to explain.

"I think out meta has been sucking up all the radiation around him and using it to power himself." Cisco finished.

"Which is why the x-ray machines at the hospital failed the day of the rally." Iris nodded as she started to piece things together.

"So if we want to find him we have to look for places without radiation." Cisco piped up.

Barry knew that look all too well. Cisco had an idea on how to find him and as he watched Cisco resume his magic on the computer, he knew he would. If he was going to protect any of them from being hurt, he had to stop them. Stop them from helping him. It only led them to danger.

"Alright guys I—I don't want any of you here right now." Barry said loudly, his body tense with resolve and need to get them out of there.

"Tough. You need your partners. You need your friends." Joe object, stepping out of the shadow of the door frame.

Barry had the urge to roll his eyes, but knew better than to do it. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Barry shoved his hands in his pockets in frustration.

"Barry everyone in this room cares about you. But we also care about this city. We all want to make a difference. And that means fighting metahumans… then that means working with the Flash. You can't deny us that. Not anymore." Iris scolded as she looked blatantly at him.

"Got him! There's a three block dead zone near a hazardous waste reclamation plant. It should be blooming with rads but right now it's at zero." Cisco bellowed as he locked onto a location.

"That's where you'll find your Atom Smasher." Stein said enthusiastically.

Barry saw as Cisco looked at Stein with a neutral expression. He wasn't sure where this was going to lead but he knew it wasn't a good thing when other people named metahumans.

"Be—Because he absorbs atomic power and well he… smashes." Stein defended, looking slightly terrified as Cisco's eyes bore into him.

"Come here." Cisco whispered taking Stein into a crushing hug.

Barry was taken by surprise. Unusual to say the least.

"That's a great name. Welcome to the team." Cisco beamed releasing Stein.

"Thank you." Stein replied humbly.

Barry rolled his eyes. Now they had done what they came to do, he needed them to go.

"Great. Guys thank you um... ca—you can go now alright." He said curtly, trying to usher them back out.

"Barry. You need to let Cisco and Stein figure out a way to stop this guy." Joe cut him off abruptly.

"No I don't." Barry said bluntly before Flashing away in his suit, not before dismantling the communication device and leaving it behind.

If they weren't going to leave then he was.

*Hazardous plant*

As Barry arrived at the location, he stood looking across the room at Rothstein.

"Well this is a curveball. I thought I was going to have to come looking for you." Rothstein bellowed as he caught sight of Barry.

"I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else." Barry stated.

"I'm only here to hurt you buddy."

"Yeah? Then why did you kill Albert Rothstein? And why do you look like him?" Barry yelled back.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He replied coyly.

"Ha. Try me." Barry pressed.

"I'm about to." Rothstein smiled as he ran head first towards Barry.

Barry glued himself to the floor as he began to rotate his arms fast in circular motions creating a gust of wind pushing Rothstein back. But as it was not strong enough, Rothstein found ground and began to break through. Barry stopped drawing heavy breaths as he thought about his next course of action. Usually, he'd have Wells, Cisco or Caitlin talking him though what to do but this was solely on him now.

Taking a sharp breath Barry sped forward, lighting a rapid set of punches across Atom Smashers body but it was no use. It had no effect.

With one movement against Barry, Rothstein managed to land a punch across Barry's face, sending him flying backwards.

Barry hit the wall, with unyielding pain throbbing across his face.

"My turn." Rothstein grunted as he lunged his way towards Barry.

Barry coughed as he tried pushing himself off the ground. Before Barry had a chance to re-gain his strength, Rothstein had seize Barry by the throat, clutching him as he brought him up to eye level, Barry's lungs filled with a burning sensation as the air from his lungs dissipated and he struggled to breath. As Atom Smasher tightened his grip around Barry's neck, he continued the attack, pounding his head repeatedly against the solid concrete wall.

Barry was thrown into a brief moment of unconsciousness, as the pain pulled him under. With the same pain intense torture bring him back to consciousness; Barry struggled weakly against his hold, desperate to free himself.

"He said you were some kind of big hero." He joked as he took stock of Barry dis-shrivelled, clawing desperately at his hand, to break through so he could breath.

"But you don't seem worthy of him or this city." He laughed as he primed his hand for another attack.

Suddenly the alarm sirens blaring though the factory distracted Rothstein long enough for Barry to make his escape. Racing back, Barry pushed through the pain fighting the darkness trying to consume him until he reached back to S.T.A.R Labs. As he staggered though the hallway, towards the cortex, Barry felt as his legs gave way before him, causing him to stumble, collapsing to the floor disoriented until his vison blurs and the darkness takes him.

*S.T.A.R Labs*

Barry looked around him. Nothing about where he was felt familiar. It was cold, deserted. Where was he? Everything was silent. There was no noise to anything. No sound to his voice no nothing. Trying not to panic, Barry looked around him suddenly startled as he was no longer by himself. Caitlin stood before him. A warm feeling reassure him that everything was okay just by the sight of her. At a seconds glance, Barry noticed something was wrong. She seemed disconnected. Her eyes were dark and empty. She was yelling at him, tears streaming down her face but Barry couldn't hear her. He couldn't understand what was happening. As he reached out for her, she slipped away. Panic began to rise in his chest as the image of walking away from began to flash before his eyes. Just as he couldn't find his breath Barry woke up calling out her name. Caitlin.

"You're good. I got you." Joe said concerned as he caught Barry by the wrist.

Barry looked at Joe, his eyes red rimmed close to tears. It was just a dream. Barry sighed as he slumped back down onto the pillow his eyes drawn back up towards the ceiling.

"Where is everyone?" Barry whispered fighting the tears.

"I figured you didn't want an audience when you came to." Joe replied watching his son, his brows pulled together in concern.

"Yeah thanks." Barry choked as he found a steady rhythm of his breathing.

"Iris is right. I'm not going to do this anymore. For the past couple of months I've given you space to figure all of this out and come back to us. But today proved that you'd rather just get yourself killed." Joe scolded, his voice rising slightly in anger.

"It's better than getting my friends killed." Barry replied detached.

"You want me to tell you that it wasn't your fault. I can't. It was. But guess what? You weren't the only person making decisions that day… all of the rest of us where there that day too. Eddie… and Ronnie. They chose to help you stop Wells. Stop that..."

"Singularity." Barry finished, finally turning to face Joe.

"Singularity thing. It's on all of us Barry. So stop with this hogging all the blame and regret. We're going to have to live with it. Move on."

Barry nodded as he wiped his hand over his face, washing away the tears. He knew what Joe was saying was right, but he couldn't help it. He had the power to save them, but he just wasn't fast enough. And that… that was on him.

"What do I do now?" Barry whispered, his eyes pleading for advice.

"Well I do know you've been re-building Central City at night. It's all bricks and paint, Maybe you should start to rebuild things that really matter." He prompted.

Barry knew what he meant. Taking a deep breath, Barry stared back up at the ceiling. Caitlin.

Caitlin's POV

Like every other day Caitlin resumed to what her life was now accustomed to… analysing samples… generating chemicals and discovering cures and figuring out equations. For the first time in a long time Caitlin felt she was back to what she worked years off in college for. Pure science.

Sighing, Caitlin worked beside herself in the empty lavatory. As she focused on the sample before her, she froze. She felt the set of familiar eyes boring into her. A faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips, Caitlin spun around knowing exactly who it was. Her heart rate spiked at the sight of Barry leaning against the door frame watching her with cautious eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sorry I should of called or something but I jus—I wanted to see you." He whispered unsure as he took a step forward.

"It's been awhile." She replied back, a small smile breaking across her face.

"Yes Cisco said he saw you at the Flash day celebration. I was surprised." He began as he stepped closer towards her.

Caitlin stood where she was, she resisted every natural urge she had to run to him. It had been months since they last talked. Months since she last saw him. She missed. More than she'd admitted out loud.

"You better than anyone know that… I wasn't the hero that day." He trailed off avoiding her gaze.

Caitlin's muscles tensed at the memory. Watching as Barry looked down towards his feet Caitlin stepped forward, her hand reaching out to him. As her hand grazed his forearm, Barry looked up back at her, his eyes soft and sympathetic.

"Of course you were." She protested, hoping that he could hear the truth in her voice.

He had to know that he was and always had been a hero… and yes, he wasn't alone. She needed him to know he wasn't the one to blame… she was.

"No." Barry objected immediately.

Caitlin sighed but glad he didn't pull away. She watched as Barry took a deep breath. She could sense that he was fighting that guilt that weighed heavily on his conscience.

Caitlin squeezed his arm as he continued to look her in the eye. She couldn't bear him carrying the blame. For one it wasn't his to carry. It was hers.

"Cait- Ronnie died saving me and I should have saved him and I—I'm so sorry." He opened his mouth to speak, his voice lull to a dim whisper.

Caitlin's heart broke as she to the depths of his soul that the death of Ronnie and Eddie's bore against him. Her mouth grew dry as she tried to think of what to say.

"Barry… I know you did everything you could. It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you for Ronnie's death. I blame myself." She confessed, turning away guilty.

"Wha—Why?" Barry stammered surprised by her words.

Caitlin let her arms fall to her side as she took a deep breath, fighting back the tears that began to fill her eyes. As she breathed out, she drew courage before she faced him again.

"When Ronnie first became F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M he asked me to leave Central City and go somewhere where we could have a normal life and again after we got married. But I said no." She said ashamed.

"I couldn't leave S.T.A.R Labs… Dr Wells… You." She cried.

"If I had gone with him… Ronnie would still be alive. Being at S.T.A.R Labs made me think about that every single day."

As soon as the words left her, she felt the weight of the guilt slowly ease off her shoulders. She hadn't told anyone this. She felt as if it were her punishment. A punishment she could only bear on her own.

"Oh. Cait—" Barry stepped forward reaching out for her but immediately stopped.

Caitlin saw his hesitation, she drew the back of her hand to her face to wipe away her tears and in attempt to hide the disappointment in her face.

"Here." He whispered handing her a handkerchief.

"Oh, you carry a handkerchief now? What are you like 80?" she laughed as she appreciatively took it from him.

As her hand reached out to take it from him, her fingers slightly grazed his, sending electricity burning though her body. She was surprised he still made her feel that way. Sensing he felt it too, Barry withdrew his hand fast dropping something on the floor.

"What's that?" Caitlin sniffed as she peered down through wet lashes.

"Um it's a—apparently in the case of his death, Wells had some kind of living will." Barry explained as he bent down picking up the USB drive.

Caitlin watched as his hands clenched tight around the little piece of metal.

"And you haven't watched it yet?" she smiled as she looked at him.

"No. Nah I've been too afraid." He confessed.

Reaching out, Caitlin placed her hand over his fist.

"What if we watched it together?"

Barry looked at her, his gaze penetrating to see right to her soul. Without their eyes leaving each other, Barry nodded, releasing his hand over the drive, handing it over as he curled his fingers with her.

Caitlin gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as she led him over to her desk.

Barry's POV

As the video began to play, Barry snuck a quick glance over at Caitlin who was watching him intently. She gave him a warm smile. As she looked up at him, it seemed to settle the uneasiness he was felt in the pit of his stomach. Tightening his fingers around hers, Barry turned back to the screen.

"Hello Barry. If you're watching this, then something has gone horrible wrong. I'm dead. And that means the last 15 years… have been for nothing. Bummer. 15 years. And what I've realize in all those years, helping raise you… we were never truly enemies Barry. I'm not the thing you hate. And so I'm going to give you the thing you want most. It won't matter. You won't be truly happy. Barry Allen. Trust me. I know you. Now erase everything up to this point and give the following message to the police. My name is Harrison Wells. Being of sound mind and body I freely confess to the murder of Nora Allen in her home on the night of March 18 in the year 2000. I attacked Nora All—"

"Oh my god! He confessed." Caitlin gasped as her hand clench tighter around Barry's.

"This is it. This is what I need to free my dad." Barry muttered in shock.

Spinning around Barry looked towards Caitlin gleaming with joy. This was it. This was finally it. Barry shot of his chair grabbing Caitlin by the shoulders and hurling her into his arms. As Barry pulled back he saw as Caitlin beamed brightly back at him, sharing in the same joy as he was in. With his arms still tightly around her waist Barry took her head into his hands and kissed her. Before he knew what he was doing, before he could stop himself he felt her kiss him back.

In that moment, Barry felt as the world around them seized to exist. The troubles and dangerous of their world were at a standstill and it was just the two of them. As her lips moved with his, Barry could see everything pulling back into place. He was back where he belonged.

When they finally broke away, Barry let his lips linger over hers. His eyes remained closed, scared that if he opened them she'd be gone.

"I should call Joe." He whispered, his eyes still closed and his hands still holding her to him.

"I'll drive." She replied against his lips.

Caitlin's POV

Caitlin surveyed the room around her as they all waited impatiently for Barry and Joe to get back. As her eyes looked over everything that was once so familiar, she took in a deep breath thinking how as much as she had tried to forget this place, she knew that there was no escaping something was a strong part of her life. In more ways than one, this place, the people had brought her refuge, security, a family, loss and love. As she reminisced over the many memories that have moulded her into who she had become today, Barry had strolled back in with an undeniably large grin on his face.

"Is it good news?" she said hopeful.

Barry stopped in front of them all as he responded with a renewed sense of hope and trust in the world.

"I think so." He smiled.

"Henry's coming home?" Iris cried happily taking Barry into a tight embrace.

Caitlin smiled whole-heartedly at Barry. She couldn't have been happier for him. He finally got what he always dreamed. That he had fought so hard to get. He was getting his dad back.

Caitlin watched him as he took Iris' hug, his eyes never leaving Caitlin's. As Iris stepped away, wiping away the tears from her eyes, Barry looked around the room.

"Okay well that still leaves Atom Smasher to deal with." He huffed out clapping his hands together.

"Last time you faced him it did not go well." Professor Stein commented.

Caitlin's expression turned tense, she had heard from Cisco how badly Barry got injured the last time he faced Rothstein.

"No. It did not. I clearly can't beat him by myself. So how we beat him?" He prompted.

Caitlin's mind was turning. She had an idea. Ever since Cisco had shown up at Mercury Labs seeking her help, she couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Well ever since I was shown a drained security badge… thank you Cisco." She rolled her eyes at Cisco before turning back to face Barry.

"You're welcome Caitlin." Cisco replied smugly.

"If this guy likes radiation so much… I saw we give it to him." She said boldly as she straightened up proudly as they all agreed with the plan.

While Cisco beaconed everyone over to create a plan around Caitlin's idea, Barry shuffled forward towards Caitlin.

"Hey… Can we talk?"

"Yeah." She nodded with a smile.

As Barry led them down the hall and out of ear shot, he turned back around to face her.

"So about that kiss…" the both said at the same time.

Both of their faces broke into a smile.

"You first." She whispered to him.

"Cait—I love you." He blurted out unapologetically.

"I always have. Still do. I…I can't imagine my life without you. I want you back but I know I don't deserve you." He trailed off.

"Bar—" Caitlin began stepping forward before Barry cut her off.

"Cait, every day I fight the fact that I can't be with you because I made a promise. And for the past few months I've kept it…"

"Promise? What promise?" She asked surprised.

Barry took a deep breath before continuing.

"Before… Before Ronnie died I promised him I'd keep you safe."

"So you pushed me away. You pushed all of us away." She mumbled finally realizing the reason behind his distance.

"I had to. It was because of me that he died. I wasn't fast enough to save him."

"Barry you did everything you could. I don't blame you. It's not your fault. It was Ronnie's choice to rush in there. Just like it's mine to be here now with you… beside everyone… fighting to save this city. Barry you can't make that choice for them. You can't push us away and do everything by yourself because you decided. We're here because we want to be." Caitlin argued taking him into her hands and forcing him to look at her.

"I get that now." He whispered putting his hand over hers.

"Umm and about what happened earlier… I know what I want, I guess what I'm asking is do you still feel the same way or was I right to let you go?" Barry stuttered nervous to hear her answer.

"You were right." She said flatly.

Caitlin noticed as Barry froze. She could tell her was slightly a taken back by her answer. And before he could get the wrong idea she continued.

"I did need that time, time to grieve. I blamed myself for his death and that's why I couldn't stay. The place… here reminded me about the decision I made… But I've just realized that it was his choice to be there with me and none of us are to blame for it. You made me see that. Because it's my choice to stay now. And there's nothing you can do about it." She smiled.

"Yes, you were right but I still love you Barry. That hasn't changed. I guess that… I never really had a choice in." Caitlin felt as Barry's smile stretched across his face as he pressed into hands.

"There's just one more thing I need to know…" he whispered his voice light and cautious.

Caitlin nodded as she noticed Barry's eyes darkened with intensity.

"Cait—I can't do this if you're going to run at the next sign that says our future isn't ours." He confessed breathless.

"If today… if the past year and half or you has taught me is that nothing is certain. Especially the future… Including ours… But I know as long as I have you by my side… I'm certain anything is possible" she reassured him.

And if she didn't think his smile couldn't get any bigger, she was proven wrong. Barry stepped forward, his arms snaking around her waist as he pulled her up against him lifting her off the floor. Caitlin giggled as she looked down at him, her hair creating a curtain around their faces. As the tension built up between them, Caitlin smile slowly faded as she leant down and placed her lips on his.

"Just promise me you won't leave me. I don't think I could survive if you—" she pleaded against his lips.

"That I can promise you. I'll keep you safe. I promise. I love you." He said between kisses.

"Always." She replied as she kissed him back.

Barry's POV

Barry waited impatiently by the massive overheating light. With the signal in the sky it would only be a matter of time before Rothstein showed up.

"What's up? I see you got my message. If you want me… you're going to catch me." Barry toyed before racing off for Rothstein to follow.

"Dude it's working, Rothstein's following you." Cisco bellowed over the coms.

Barry came to a stop at the abandoned nuclear site, as he waited for Rothstein to catch up with him. Breaking through the silence, the floor beneath his feet shook as Atom Smasher came crashing through the ground beneath.

"Didn't think I could catch you huh?" He sneered.

"No. I knew you could." Barry whispered to himself as he raced into one of the small containment booths.

When Rothstein chased in after him, Barry took a second before tricking him inside and leaving him locked within.

"NOW CISCO!" Barry yelled over once he was out.

Through a small circular window, Barry watched from the safety of being on the outside, as Caitlin's plan was put into action and Rothstein was attacked with a large dose of radiation.

With uncontrollable amounts of radiation being absorbed, Barry watched as Rothstein was rendered harmless on the inside.

"The radiation has been cleared its safe for you to go in." Cisco relayed over after a moment passed.

As the doors opened, Barry stepped in kneeling beside Rothstein careful for any sudden movements.

"Sorry I couldn't let you hurt anyone else." Barry explained.

"Why? Why did you want to kill me?" He pressed.

"He—He promised he'd take me home… if I killed you." Rothstein choked.

"Who? Who promised you that?"

"Zoom."

*IRON HEIGHTS*

After an eventful night with little to no sleep, Barry waited restlessly for his father. Barry had waited years for this day to happen and he finally did it. He was getting his family back. As the gates buzzed open and Barry saw his father emerge from the other side, Barry didn't wait for a seconds heartbeat to race into his father's arms.

"Let's go home." His father beamed as he took his son into a tight embrace.

"I'll race you." Barry teased as he nestled into his father's shoulder.

Caitlin's POV

*West Residence*

As the door opened Caitlin raised her hands as they all shouted a warm hearted "Welcome Home!"

With champagne being popped open and cake being dispensed into any free hand, Caitlin watched happily as Henry made his rounds of hug as cheerful hellos. Barry eagerly followed his dad around the room, excited to finally have his father in arms reach without any type of metal or glass between them.

When everyone's stomachs ached from eating so much cake, Professor Stein gathered everyone into the living room. Caitlin stepped down settled herself behind the couch as Barry joined her, throwing his arm around her shoulders and pulling her gently to him. Caitlin felt at home as she snuggled to his side.

"Gather round everyone please." Stein began.

"Looking at all of you… thinking how far we've all come and remembering and those who are no longer with us. I am reminded of a Hebrew word that was used in times of graduation. Kadima. It means forward…" Stein toasted raising his glass.

"Forward." He repeated.

Everyone in the room took a moments paused before they all gathered up their glasses and toasted to their future.

"Forward." They said in unison.

Barry's POV

Taking a sip from his glass, Barry cocks his head to the side, catching a glimpse of his father stepping away. Kissing Caitlin's forehead Barry excused himself and followed his father to the side.

"You good?"

"Yeah... the stuff goes to your head after being away from it for 14 years."

"Yeah I bet. Umm alright look, I was thinking how about in the morning we start looking for an apartment for the two of us… cause my apartment isn't exactly… and Iris has been doing some research in how you could get your medical license back. You can start your practice or come and work with us at S.T.A.R Labs?" Barry said excitedly but taking his father's silence he grew concerned.

"What's wrong you okay?" he asked, his brows pulling together.

"It's a party we can talk about this tomorrow. Come on."

"Talk about what?" Barry pressed.

"Barry…"

"Are you not planning on sticking around?" He whispered, his heart stopping as he already knew the answer.

"Okay, okay. Do you think… can you be all that you are becoming with me here?" His father said seriously.

"Ha… you're the only family I have left." Barry whispered into almost a cry.

"Well that's not really true is it? Don't you have another family in this room? They need your help too. When you need me I will be here. But right now Central City doesn't need you to be Henry Allen's son… it needs you to be the Flash. My kid. The superhero." Henry said proudly as he placed his hands on Barry's shoulders.

"I have to go. I need you tell me it's okay?" he added in a whisper.

Barry looked into his father's eyes and knew that he would be being selfish for telling his father to stay. But could he blamed for needing his father. He had waited years for his family. And his father was ready to leave. Barry closed his eyes tight for a second before opening them.

"Alright." He cried his face saddened as his father smiled weakly before taking his son into his arms.

*Train Station*

As the station bustled with people boarding and leaving the station, Barry was distracted by the reality of it all. His dad was really leaving. And if he was going to be honest. It hurt.

"Now tell me, are you going to do something about that doctor of yours?" his father's voice broke through his thoughts and pulled him back to the present.

Barry smiled shyly the colour flooding to his cheeks.

"Uh. I don't know dad. We just got back together. But-" He whispered.

"No buts kid. Fight for her. If I can leave you anything before I go is this…" Barry watched as his father held out a small box before him.

"Mom's ring. Where di-"

"I wanted to see the part of your life I missed." He confessed about sneaking up to Barry's childhood room.

"This world, the future… it isn't how we expect it. You of all people should know that by now. So be the man I know you are and do right by her and never let her go."

Barry nodded.

"Thanks dad." He smiled hugging his father tightly.

"Anytime kid. Remember whenever you need me, I'll be there. I love you son."

"I love you too dad." He whispered as he said goodbye.

*S.T.A.R Labs*

As the elevator doors opened, Barry stepped out to have Joe waiting for him.

"Your dad get off okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just dropped him off at the station." Barry mumbled.

"You good?"

"I don't know… I feel like every time I win I still lose." He sighed as he shoved his hands into his pocket.

Barry watched as Joe dug out a keep from the inside of his suit jacket, handing it over to Barry.

"This is not bad." Barry smiled as he toyed with the city's key between his fingers.

"Not bad?" Joe retorted with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah it's pretty cool." Barry laughed as Joe's lips broke into a smile.

"Hey" Caitlin called as she walked towards them, shrugging herself into her coat jacket.

"Hey you ready?" Barry said taking a deep breath.

"Yep."

"You guys… you know what just have fun." He laughed before waving them off.

Caitlin giggled as she reached for his hand, threading his fingers though his and leaned in to kiss him on his lips.

"Let's go home."

Caitlin's POV

As Caitlin unlocked the door to her apartment, she staggered into the dark space, leaning over to the side to switch on the lights. She watched as Barry glided in after her, shrugging out of his jacket and tossing over the sofa.

"Hey do you mind starting the fire while I heat up the kettle?" she muttered as she reached over for the mugs in the cupboard up top.

When she didn't hear a reply, Caitlin stepped down from her tippy toes and turned around startled to find Barry right behind her. Taken back, she stumbled back, her back hitting against the counter. As her eyes found its way to his, she took in a sharp breath as she felt the heat rise and the air vanish from the room. Barry didn't make a move, he was slow and teasing. His eyes grew dark with a burning intensity she knew all too well. As he lingered over her, she felt her heart rate spike as his fingers toyed with her as he held her pinned to the counter. Unable to withstand the torture any longer, Caitlin grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him to her. Their lips smashing together in a hungry frenzy. Caitlin felt as Barry's hands guided over her waist and hoisting her up onto the counter. With her hand knotted in his hair, Caitlin opened her mouth, giving Barry access to explore her mouth as their tongues danced, exploring, teasing.

Pulling apart to get some air, Caitlin looked down at Barry, his eyes yearning with the same carnal desire burning in the pit of her stomach. She locked her legs around Barry's waist as he took her off the counter and guided them towards the couch. His eyes never leaving hers. As he settled her down gently, he hovered over her, staring down into her eyes for a second as if asking for permission, and then as he pulled out one of his arms from under her, he swept her hair out of her face. He smiled and then leaned in to kiss her.

Barry's POV

Half-dressed Barry looked down at her. She seemed so peaceful. It surprised him every day how he got so lucky. Admittedly, it wasn't easy… they had their ups and downs but he knew she was worth the fight. As she breathed silently against his chest, Barry traced gently back and forth across her left hand finger. She was definitely worth it. Easing out from under her, careful not to wake her, Barry knelt beside her, wrapping the blanket around her exposed skin. As Barry shimmied back into his jeans, he curled his arms around Caitlin's limp body. He pulled her off the floor, gathering her into his arms. He paused as she stirred, her head nestled in the crook of her neck but she didn't wake. Barry tightened his hands around her as he made his way slowly to her bedroom. Kicking the door open with his foot, Barry manoeuvred his way through the door making sure his steps were light and quiet. Reaching the edge of the bed, Barry eased Caitlin gently onto the sheets careful not to wake her. Barry stood by her side for a moment, he found his happiness in these simple moments. The way she looked without the weight of the world they lived in weighing down on her shoulders. She looked peaceful. He was happy. As he guided the sheet over her body, his fingers slightly grazing against her bare skin, Barry leaned over kissing her ever so slightly on the lips before leaving. Barry smiled down at her as he swept away a loose strand of hair from her face. He turned to leave when the sudden contact of heat curled around his hands. Barry stopped, his eyes guiding down to his hand where Caitlin had intertwined her fingers.

"Where you going?" she said with her eyes half open.

Barry looked back down at Caitlin, who was trying so hard to stay awake. He smiled lazily back at her. God was she beautiful. He thought as his heart skipped a beat.

"Nowhere." He whispered.

Caitlin's lips pulled into a small smile as she weakly pulled him back to her.

"Good."

Without letting go of her hand, Barry settled beside her under the sheets as she shuffled over. As Barry laid down, he let go her hand, moving his arm around her as she moved closer resting her head back down against his arm falling back to sleep. Her hand against his chest, Barry pulled her closer to him. Tightening his embrace, Barry nestled into her hair, happy to have her back in his arms. For the first time in forever, Barry felt like he could stop running. He was where he belonged. And with that he fell asleep.

So what did you guys think?