A/N: Ummmm is there a chance anyone is still out there? LOL i actually completed this story so I'm going to post the rest but I'm not sure anyone is still around to read it! If anyone is, please enjoy!
Chapter 16: Fragile
Cisco only sat for a few moments before Oliver and Iris walked in the room. Cisco passed them a smile before Iris pulled up a chair on the other side of Barry, taking his hand, and giving it a kiss. Oliver pulled a chair up as well, taking a seat next to Cisco.
"How long has he been asleep?" Oliver asked, looking sympathetically at Barry, who looked exhausted, even while sleeping.
"Just a few minutes. I went to grab him a glass of water and by the time I got back, he was out."
Cisco and Oliver caught Iris just staring at Barry with sadness and concern.
"How are you holding up?"
Iris looked at Oliver and smiled slightly.
"I'm okay.. just glad he's out of there and now we know he'll be okay since he's woken up but.. Barry feels like DeVoe is going to try something again and I agree. We can't let him near Barry again."
Oliver looked at her with seriousness and determination present in his eyes.
"There's no way that's going to happen. I promise."
Iris smiled and nodded.
"I just wish we had a sure way to get rid of DeVoe. Even with everything he's done, I know Barry would still want to do it the right way, he's just so powerful now."
Oliver passed Cisco a look who nodded in his direction.
"Maybe there's away to get DeVoe locked up in the meta human section of Iron Heights, the legal way."
Iris looked confused.
"The legal way?"
"DeVoe had cameras all over his lair, including in the room he kept Barry in. I saw the memory card the videos were being uploaded to and took it. Everything has to be on there... everything he did to Barry. We could turn it over?"
Iris shifted in her chair at the realization that there was video footage at all, but she shook her head in Oliver's direction.
"I don't think Barry would want the world to know or see what happened, besides, we couldn't hand it over anyway. Barry is in his Flash suit the whole time. His identity would be revealed. It would just cause a whole other mess of problems."
Oliver nodded, he hadn't even thought of that.
"So we find a way to overpower DeVoe and throw him in the pipeline."
Cisco nodded but sighed.
"It won't be easy. He has the powers of every bus meta... and then his own super brain powers AND his wife, who is also some crazy super genius."
"We'll find a way." Iris said, her mind still half on the fact that there was video. A part of her wanted to see what happened and a part of her didn't. She ultimately decided she would let Barry decide what they should do with the footage, including whether or not he wanted her to see it. She hoped the others would do the same.
"How do you know?" Cisco asked, his hope sounding diminished.
Iris looked at Cisco and then looked at Barry, imaging how scared and broken and hopeless he must have been while being locked up with DeVoe. Now he was here and recovering, and it was their job to protect him.
"Because we have to. There's no other choice."
Iris, Cisco, and Oliver silently looked at each other before Oliver broke the silence.
"Let's uh... let's let him rest and go talk about options. Now that the video's out, we need some new ideas. New plan." Oliver said standing to take his leave. Cisco lagged behind, finally leaving the room, Iris kissing Barry on the forehead before following Cisco and Oliver out.
Seconds later, Barry slowly opened his eyes. Unknown to Iris, Cisco, and Oliver, Barry had heard their conversation in its entirety... including the part about the video.
Barry felt his heart drop to his stomach at the realization. He didn't want anyone to see what happened.. but he wanted DeVoe put away and the police on his side would be a great help. But he couldn't out his secret to everyone... why did he have to be in his damn flash suit?
It didn't matter anyway, even if he wasn't wearing the suit, he didn't want the footage out there. Barry didn't get much sleep after that... his mind heavy with everything that happened. He wouldn't admit to anyone else, but he was terrified DeVoe would be back... the scariest part being it wasn't a matter of if he would be back, simply a matter of time.
—
DeVoe was pacing around in front of the main computers for almost an hour. How had his plan, both of his plans, gone down to the tubes so horribly? First with the enlightenment.. now he's lost Barry too. He should have killed Team Flash the moment he got the opportunity, instead he thought it would be smart to hold them as leverage against Barry. Not only that.. but Oliver or Cisco took the footage, so now he couldn't even figure out how they got in.
"Damn it..." DeVoe said, squeezing a chair in front of him in aggravation.
Marlize walked back into the room, a pair of meta handcuffs in her hand. With a sigh, she laid them down on the desk in front of her husband.
"There's no way in or out of here... including the breeches. The only reason yours works is because this is your home... a part of your home. You're connection here is strong."
"Well.. obviously, Mr. Ramone somehow breeched in."
Marlize nodded.
"The same way your connection to this place allows you to breech in and out, the same could go for... a person."
DeVoe nodded, putting the pieces together in his mind.
"So, if Cisco's connection to Barry was strong enough, he could breech here to, not necessarily to this place, but to Barry."
"How the hell are we supposed to prevent that?"
Marlize shrugged.
"Kill Team Flash. They can't breech in if there's no one that has the ability to breech."
—
A few hours later, Barry was anxious to get home. All he wanted to do was go to sleep in an actual bed, not the one in the medical bay at STAR Labs. Unfortunately, his powers were only just starting to return and everyone was too nervous have Barry go home.
"Look.. I know you're all trying to protect me but, I just want to be in an actual bed."
Everyone immediately started to object. Barry rubbed his head.
"Why don't you come to Star City for a few week— days. Just days." Oliver said, stopping himself when he saw Barry about to object to "weeks".
"Oliver... I appreciate it but—"
"Barry stop!" Joe yelled, everyone jumping slightly, Barry looking at his surrogate father, shock taking over the tiredness he was feeling. Joe walked closer to Barry.
"That man kidnapped you, tortured you, took your powers... and Oliver and Cisco got you out of there, so hurt and out of it, we were worried you wouldn't even wake up!"
"Joe.." Barry started, the rest of the room staying quiet.
"I'M NOT LOSING YOU AGAIN. You don't want to stay in STAR Labs, fine. You will stay at my house and everyone can come there."
"J—"
"Enough, Barry. That's what we're doing." Joe said, sternly before swiftly leaving.
Barry awkwardly looked around before Oliver let out a light laugh.
"Yikes."
Barry shook his head.
"You guys don't all have to come."
Cisco didn't even acknowledge Barry's words as he picked up his bag slung over the chair nearby.
"I'll get my things."
"Me too." Caitlin said, following Cisco.
"You guys can catch a ride with me." Oliver said, pointing to Iris and Wells.
"Oliver... you have to get back to Star City."
"Shut up and no I don't. Felicity will call me if I'm needed. I'd offer you a ride, but something tells me you'll be riding with Joe." Oliver said as he cracked a small smile before leaving.
Iris squeezed Barry's hand as Wells clasped his shoulder.
"See you at the house, babe." Iris said, as she walked out of the medical bay.
Joe came in a few seconds later, a bag of Barry's stuff in hand. Barry gave a sideways smile before he slowly swung his legs over the bed. Joe quickly came to his side, grabbing his arm.
"Feel okay?" Joe asked. Barry nodded.
"A little dizzy, I think from just the drugs and not eating much and stuff."
"Have you tried to eat?"
Barry shook his head.
"I haven't really been able to keep anything down."
Joe nodded.
"Well.. I have crackers and ginger-ale at the house."
Barry smiled.
"Thanks." He said, as he started walking out. Joe grabbed his arm and Barry turned to him.
"Barry... I—" Joe stopped talking and immediately grabbed Barry in a massive hug. Barry returned it with a smile. Joe held the hug longer than Barry anticipated, which made Barry smile a bit more.
"Joe.. I'm okay."
"I know this is going to be a big pain in the ass...but you are not leaving my sight for at least the next 4 years."
Barry laughed before another voice rang in the air, one that made Barry's heart drop right down to his stomach. DeVoe's voice rang through STAR Labs as Joe quickly stood in front of Barry.
"Oh.. but he won't be leaving MY sight for the rest of his life."