Son, My Son

summary: Without even a moment to process life without his powers, a sick day at home turns into a day for Barry that has him questioning the universe's timing when a man comes looking for revenge on Joe. Barry's limits are tested, Joe's love is questioned, and the two aren't sure how they're going to make it out of this one unscathed, physically or emotionally. [Takes place right after 2x19 and before 2x20]

genre: Angst, Hurt-Comfort, Family, Drama

rated: T

authors note: title inspiration and lyrics are from "Son My Son" by Milo Greene.

Prelude

"I'm fine Iris, I promise," Barry said, phone tucked between his chin and shoulder as he pulled on his navy sweatpants with the CCPD logo at the upper front pocket. "It's just a sinus infection. Stuffed nose, cough, congestion, headache, ya know all the fun stuff." He held the phone in one hand while he grabbed a pair of striped socks. Tucking the phone between his head and shoulder again, he alternated bouncing on each of his feet to pull his socks on.

"I can't really complain. It's the first real cold I've had since I got my speed and now that I don't have that, the universe is catching up. Or rather, allergy season is."

Putting it on speaker as Iris talked, he placed the phone down on his unmade bed briefly as he ran a towel through his short brown hair, leaving it sticking up in damp tufts before tossing the towel into the nearby hamper. He had just taken a long, hot shower, hoping the warm water and steam would make him feel a little better. He looked at the compression bandage laying on the bed and brought a hand to his side. He was still sore but the bruising on his ribs had gone down in the last few days since his run in with Griffin Grey after he took Harry. Barry decided against rewrapping them and just pulled on a gray Star Labs t-shirt over his head.

"I'm just taking the day off from work to get some rest and slow down a bit now that I don't have a choice," he said into the phone after picking it up again. Barry pulled the phone away as he was racked with a coughing fit, quick to calm down a worried Iris as he brought it back to his ear. "I'm fine, Iris. Yes, I'm eating. I'm going downstairs now to have some Oatmeal and chill on the couch. Yes, I'll call if I need anything. Bye."

Barry smiled as he hung up the phone before his body was wracked with another cough. He missed having the Speed Force in his system as much as he missed his actual speed. Like his accelerated healing and increased metabolism, his body ran through illnesses very quickly, none lingering for more than a couple hours. This was day three and Barry realized being sick was not something he missed at all about normal life.

He sent a quick text to Cisco telling him to call if they needed anything and that he'd be by later. Cisco responded with 'JUST REST DUDE'. He pocketed the phone as well as a white handkerchief for his stuffed nose, chuckling briefly before it too turned into a cough. Before Barry left the room, he grabbed his watch from off his nightstand, fastening it around his left wrist, before leaving his room to head down stairs. With the exception of when he was in his Flash uniform, Barry always wore the watch. It had once belonged to Joe, a gift from his Joe's father when he was a young man that Joe had thoughtfully gifted to him this past Christmas. The gift meant more to Barry then he could express at the moment he received it and was his most treasured possession.

Barry got to the bottom of the stairs when he heard his phone's text tone go off from his sweatpants pocket. Just as he slid his hand in to retrieve it, one of the shadows erupted with sudden movement and Barry found himself being slammed forward into the wall. His attacker wrapped an arm around him and pinned his own right arm, hand still in his pocket, down to his side. He used his body to push Barry up against the wall and snaked his left arm up and clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Mmppphhhhh!" Barry shouted from behind the hand, trying to pry at the arm holding him with his free hand as he struggled and twisted in his attackers grip.

"Don't struggle," a voice whispered in his ear. "I didn't come here for you so make it easier on yourself," the man hissed in Barry's ear. Barry tried to turn his head away but the hand at his mouth was holding him firmly in place.

Barry twisted his body to try and throw his attacker off, but the hold was too tight. Barry swung his free arm up and back and was satisfied when he hit solid flesh and heard his attacker swear. It didn't slow his attacker down though as he arched his back and lifted Barry slightly up off the ground, holding him close to his body and slamming him hard against the wall once more, pinning him, not giving Barry any leverage.

"I'm sorry you had to be involved in what's coming to Joe West," the man's voice growled into his ear. Barry tried to protest through the hand covering his mouth, his breath coming in sharp gasps, shaking his head from side to side to throw it off, but the grip over his mouth was too tight.

Suddenly the hand came loose from over his mouth and Barry was quick to act, swinging his head back, connecting hard with his attacker's face. Barry tried to wriggle free from the arm still wrapped around his torso and arm but a clenched fist smashed against his head and Barry's vision blurred for a moment. Disoriented, he was thrown free and pushed hard to the ground. It was enough to wind him, only able to land a kick to his attacker's gut before his attacker swung at him, his fist connecting with Barry's mouth, splitting his bottom lip and knocking him down. The man was instantly on top of him, knees digging into his arms, pinning him to the ground. The last thing Barry saw was a blurry figure lift his arm and backhand him with the butt of a gun across his left temple before the world went black.