A/N: I have another story for you guys. I've gotten a good head-start on writing it, so hopefully, updates will be regular. Warnings: death and occasional mentions of graphic violence. Anyways, read on.
The sound of a phone ringing woke Barry from what was otherwise a very deep and peaceful sleep. He didn't even bother getting up. One sly look at his own phone showed that it wasn't ringing. He moaned and rolled over to bury his face in his pillow. The ringing persisted, making him moan again. "Iris. Phone." Normally he would've woken his wife up gentler than that, but he'd had a really long week both as Barry Allen and the Flash. Non-stop cases and criminals to catch. He just wanted to sleep. Thankfully the ringing stopped and he could hear Iris sleepily answering it. He was only out for thirty more seconds before he heard his wife gasp. He pushed himself up onto an elbow and gave her a quizzical look.
"Are you sure?" Iris asked whoever was on the other line. She was quiet for a minute. "Is everyone ok?" That had Barry out of the bed and turning the light on within two seconds. "I understand, of course. My husband and I will be there as soon as we can."
"Who was that?" Barry asked worriedly.
"Someone from the Keystone Police Department."
"Keystone Police? What's going on?"
"I don't know. All he said was that I should come down to the station right away."
Barry's mouth went dry. A family member getting called down to a police station at four in the morning was never a good thing. "Let's go then!"
"We have to get dressed….first." Iris gave her now fully dressed husband a look. She stood up. "Not all of us have super speed Barry."
"Hurry up then! Wally could be hurt-"
"Dammit, I know that!" Iris sighed and sat down at the foot of the bed. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"Hey." Barry zoomed to her side and held her hand. "It's ok. You're worried about Wally and your brother. I get it."
"I just can't-"
"You get dressed, I'll start the car."
"Ok."
Barry ran downstairs and started Iris' car in about 20 seconds. He spent the rest of the time pacing in their living room. 'What's wrong?! Family getting called in is never a good thing! What if someone's hurt?! Or arrested?! Oh god, if one of Wally's parents is going to jail it's going to devastate him! What could one of them have done to get arrested anyways?! Murder, drugs- Oh my god, what if its drugs?! Wally can't be around that kind of stuff! Its dangerous-' He stopped when Iris came running down the stairs. "Ready?!"
"Yes Barry, let's go." Once again forgetting his wife didn't have super speed, Barry ran to the car ahead of her. Thankfully, Iris was running as well and it didn't take her long to join him. She pulled out of their driveway and took off down the road.
"It takes 30 minutes to get to Keystone by car."
"Unless you know of a way to get us there any faster- that doesn't include revealing your secret identity to the Keystone Police Department's night shift."
"Uh…"
"That's what I thought."
"You can at least speed."
"Barry-"
"I know all the cops, you won't get a ticket."
"Barry Allen!"
"Fine." Barry sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. 'Why are cars so slow? I could have us there in 30 seconds.' He looked out the window, but that only gave his mind a chance to wonder what was going on. His lightning-fast thoughts were imagining one terrible scenario after another. Mary or Rudy going to jail. Wally running away. Wally hurt. Drugs. Robbery. One of their villains attacking the Wests- Barry dug his nails into the palm of his hand. He needed to stay focused. If something was seriously wrong Wally would need him thinking clearly. The exhaustion he'd felt only 20 minutes— had it really only been 20? It could've been 10. Or 30. Or a week honestly— was long gone. His cells were buzzing with energy; dying to go running. To do something. Unfortunately, all he could do for now was to sit and wait for the slow car to get them to Keystone. (Which was literally the next city over, seriously he could make the run with his eyes closed and hands tied behind his back!) He started rubbing his hands against his jeans. Within two minutes he could smell smoke.
"Barry-"
"I know, I know." Barry quickly patted out the small flames caused by the friction.
"If you keep lighting your clothes on fire, you won't have any."
"Hey, it has been two years since I melted a pair of sneakers."
"Apparently Wally melted a shoe last week."
"Only one?"
"He was doing an experiment." Sounded like Wally. Just thinking of their nephew made Iris' forehead creased with worry. "I don't like this Barry."
"Me neither."
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"I do too sweetie. I do too."
— —
It took every ounce of self-control Barry had not to run at top speed into the police station. It was 5 am, meaning the parking lot was largely empty. They went in and the night shift security guard gave them a tired look. Iris walked right up to him. "I'm Iris West, I got a call from a Detective Miller about an hour ago-"
"He's expecting you," the guard said. There was a buzz and waved them through the door. Barry opened it for Iris and followed her inside.
"This way," he said quietly. The bullpen was largely empty, due to many of their nigh shift officers making this last patrols before shift change. Their forensics department wasn't that large, so many of their cases were sent to Central. As such, he actually knew his way around moderately well. On the second floor, the detective department, there was only one occupied desk. A man a few years older than them with dark brown hair and a wrinkled shirt was reading over a case. Barry cleared his throat. "Are you Detective Miler?"
"I am," Miller said, standing. He shook each of their hands. "You must be Iris West."
"I am," Iris replied. "This is my husband Barry."
"Nice to meet you both. I wish I could it could be under better circumstances."
"It'd be nice to know what those circumstances actually are," Barry remarked.
"Please, have a seat." Barry hid his irritation that this would involve more sitting. "I'm afraid I have some difficult news to share with you." Barry immediately grabbed Iris' hand. "I'm very sorry Mrs. Allen, but your brother and sister-in-law were killed in the early hours of the morning."
"Killed?" Iris whispered. She squeezed Barry's hand. "Mary and Rudy….no. No, they're good people. Why would anyone- What about their son? What about Wally?"
"Your nephew was found at the scene-" Barry sucked in a breath. "He's at the hospital right now with two officers. He'll receive a check-up and they'll contact social services."
"Social services?" Barry asked in confusion. "Why does he need social services? We're his next of kin, we can take care of him."
"It's standard protocol, sir."
"Are you sure the bodies you found are- are-" Iris couldn't even continue her question.
"We're sure. I'm very sorry for your loss. I know this is hard, but for…legal purposes I will need you to identify the bodies."
"Of course."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Barry asked her.
"No, you wait here in case they bring Wally back to the police station."
"Ok."
Detective Miller stood up. "Right this way ma'am," he said, leading Iris away. As soon as they were gone Barry pulled out his phone. He dialed at super speed and started pacing while it rang.
"Hello?" a sleepy voice answered.
"Jeff? Its Barry Allen," Barry said quickly.
"Barry? Its 5 in the morning, what's going on?"
"I need a favor."
"What kind?"
"My wife's brother-in-law and sister-in-law were killed early this morning."
"That's a shame. What happened?"
"I don't know yet. It might be a while before I can get the details. Anyways, I was wondering if you could get me and Iris emergency custody of our nephew."
"Barry-"
"Please,anyways Jeff. Wally's going to be upset enough as it is. He needs his family."
"I'm a criminal prosecutor Barry, not a family court lawyer."
"Jeff, please, you have to know someone who can help. Wally needs us and I want to make sure we're there for him. Come on, remember when I rushed that fingerprint analysis for you?"
"Fine, fine." Jeff gave an audible sigh. "I've worked closely with many social workers, I'll put in a good word to hopefully get you emergency, temporary guardianship. Where is your nephew now?"
"He's at the hospital. I guess he was found at the scene."
"That's rough. It might be a few hours anyway. If anything he may have to sit tight at social services for a little bit. He'd need to anyways until they could find a foster home for him if that's what was happening."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Barry hung up and took a deep breath. He leaned against the back of the chair Iris had been sitting in. He bowed his head and took several, very deep breaths. 'Pull it together Barry,' he told himself silently. 'Iris is upset. Wally's going to be upset. I have to be there for them. They need me right now.' A door opened and he stood up straight. The pale look on Iris' face broke his heart. He hugged her right away, pulling his wife against him gently. Iris took a couple of ragged breaths, sounding very much like she was on the verge of crying. After a minute though she pulled away from Barry and he guided her to sit.
"What happens now?" she asked Detective Miller.
"The teenager found at the scene is your nephew, correct?" the detective asked them.
"Yes."
"I'll put in a call to social services and see what's going on with that. Do you know if your brother ever wrote a will?"
"We talked about it, but I don't think they ever got around to it."
"Well without a will, deciding who will care for your nephew will be left to the courts. Any relatives can step forward to claim custody of him-"
"We're his only relatives," Barry said.
Iris shook her head. "No," she said. "Mary has- had a sister and there are her parents- Oh god her parents…" Barry put his hands on Iris' shoulders and squeezed them gently. It took his wife a minute to compose herself. "Barry we need to tell them-"
"As soon as it's a reasonable hour to call someone we will. Promise."
"I will do so, Mrs. Allen, it's part of my job," Detective Miller told them. "That's not something you need to worry about. As long as they're his next of kin, any of them can petition for guardianship."
"Wally stays with us all the time," Barry explained. "We saw him at least once a week. We should be the ones to take care of him."
"Then I would suggest you get a lawyer to file a petition of guardianship in family court. Temporary guardianship can be given to you for 90 days by the social worker. If you don't want to do that then they'll place him in foster care until social services deem you fit for guardianship."
"Deems us fit? I work for the Central City police, Iris is a reporter. We're not criminals."
"I'm not saying you are. Its standard procedure to perform criminal background checks on all possible guardians of minors, as well as visits to the home."
"Do you know if Wally is ok?" Iris asked suddenly. "Was he hurt?" Barry squeezed her shoulders again.
"I think they're just getting him checked out." Barry took a moment to desperately hope Wally hadn't actually been hurt. The last thing they needed was for a doctor to see any wounds healing at an accelerated speed. "Let me call social services and see if he's been assigned a social worker yet."
Barry knelt down so he could be closer to Iris. "Wally's going to be fine," he whispered.
"He's all alone," Iris replied quietly. "Barry he needs us."
"I know, I know. We'll be with him soon." As soon as Jeff came through. A quick look at the detective gave him the impression that might be very soon. He got back in his seat as Miller hung up his phone.
"Well, it seems a someone put in a good word for you with the assigned social worker," Detective Miller said. "Given how close you are to your nephew, she has decided to allow him to go home with you."
"When can we see him?" Iris asked.
"His social worker is bringing him here."
"When?"
"Soon."
Barry cleared his throat. "Is there a place where we could wait?" he asked. Iris clearly needed a minute. Thankfully, Detective Miller seemed to realize that.
"Follow me." They followed him to a meeting room with an oval table and comfortable chairs. Barry recognized this as one of the rooms upper brass would hold meetings. He'd been in one of these before with his sergeant, trying to justify why new lab equipment was necessary. "You can wait in here."
"Thank you, Detective Miller." The detective nodded and left them alone. Barry pulled his seat up to Iris. "How're you doing?"
"I still can't…. I saw their bodies, Barry. They were…." Barry held both of Iris' hands with his. "I can't believe they're gone… Why would this happen?"
"There's no explanation or reason my love. Sometimes it….just is."
"I was just talking to Rudy two days ago. Planning another family dinner…"
"I know."
"I didn't know it'd be the last time…"
"I know, sweetie."
"It feels like a dream. Like I can wake up and my brother won't be dead and my nephew won't be an orphan and I won't have to be planning a funeral for my only family-"
"Hey Hey. Hey." Barry put his hands on there side of her face. "I know this is hard. Believe me, I know, but you don't have to go through it alone. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here."
"They're gone, Barry… They're gone…"
"I know. It's going to be ok though. It'll all be ok." He pulled up a chair next to her and hugged her. "It'll be ok."
— —
It felt like forever and a day before the social worker showed up with Wally. During that time Barry had seen many officers and detectives walk past. With the police station opening up for business for the day it was unavoidable. Finally though, finally, the door opened and Detective Miller came in, followed by a blonde woman and Wally. Iris was out of her seat in a second, speed rivaling Barry's, and pulled her nephew into a hug. Barry took a second to notice how Wally didn't return the gesture before turning his attention to the woman in front of him.
"You must be Barry Allen," she smiled. "My name is Nancy Turner. I've been assigned to Wally's case."
"Thank you for bringing him here," Barry replied politely, shaking her hand.
"It was my pleasure. I know you must be eager to take him home, but can we talk?"
"Of course." He gestured to the chairs he and Iris had just been occupying. He adjusted his own slightly so that they were face to face, rather than next to each other.
"I understand you and your wife have filed for immediate temporary custody of Wally."
"Yes."
"Considering how close you live to Keystone, and being Wally's immediate family, I'm letting you take him home. I have no doubt a judge will approve the petition when I file it. Once he does I will send you a copy of the papers."
"Thank you."
"Temporary custody is for a 90 day period. During that time, if you and your wife decide you want to be Wally's guardians, then you'll need to file a petition for it in the family court when the 90 days are up."
"Understood."
"If you do, then you'll both have criminal background checks done. I will also visit your home and conduct an interview with the both of you to confirm that being with you is the best place for Wally."
"It is. It really is."
"I'm sure. The state has a preference for keeping children with their families, so if you and Iris are the best family to do so, then you should have nothing to worry about."
"Ok."
"Wally was given a clean bill of health at the hospital." She lowered his voice. "I don't know how much Detective Miller has told you, but your nephew was found in the same room as his parents."
"The same room?"
"He's been cleaned because of the blood they found on him."
"The…blood?"
"Yes." A grim look crossed her face. "It's not my place to speculate what happened, but I think it would be wise to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist once things settle down."
"We will." The two of them stood up and shook hands again. "Thank you again, Mrs. Turner."
"Please, call me Nancy. Here's my card." She handed a business card to Barry, who pocketed it. "I'll be in touch." Barry nodded and she carefully stepped around Iris and Wally, who hadn't moved since being reunited a few minutes earlier. Barry walked over to Detective Miller and shook his hand as well.
"I know you'll want a statement from Wally," he said quietly. "but can I just take him home? He's been up for god knows how long."
"I'll call you in a few hours," Detective Miller said. "The M.E. just got in so I should give a cause of death then. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the details of the case, but I am suspecting foul play. When we got to trial though it'll all come out eventually anyway."
"Trial…" Barry put a hand over his face and dragged it down slowly. He took a deep breath. Trial. A criminal trial. Because of murder. Wally's parents were murdered. "Of course."
"Here's my card." The detective's card soon joined Nancy Turner's in Barry's back pocket. "Have a safe drive home, Mr. Allen."
"Thank you." Detective Miller left and Barry turned to his wife and nephew. Iris was still hugging Wally, burying her face in his red hair. Wally still wasn't returning it, simply standing there limply with his face in his aunt's shoulder. Barry gave them a moment of peace before having to interrupt it. He put his hand on Iris'' shoulder and guided her back gently. He smiled weakly at Wally, which soon turned into a very fake, plastered smile when he got his first good look at the teen. Wally was wearing a dark green hoodie that was too big and seemed to be swallowing him, as well as a pair of grey sweatpants and blue sneakers. It was a strange outfit, but the nature of it didn't surprise Barry. He'd seen many survivors of violent crime wearing clothes like this. He'd worn an outfit just like it when his mother died. It was a mishmash of donation clothes social services had. Because the survivor's clothes were covered in blood and needed to be bagged as evidence. Wally's skin was an ashen color and his green eyes were dull; devoid of any spirit. He hadn't moved or acknowledged either his art or uncle in any way. "Hey, kid…" Wally said nothing. "You ready to blow this pop stand?" Still no response.
"Wally?" Iris asked. She pulled at one of his arms and held his hand. "Wally, baby?"
Barry sighed, sensing they wouldn't get anything out of him. 'He must be in shock.' Not that Barry blamed the kid. "We should go home." He wrapped an arm around Iris and Wally's shoulders respectively and guided them out of the room. They got a few looks while leaving the police station, but Barry deftly ignored them. He situated Wally in the backseat, buckling his nephew in since he hadn't made any move to do it himself. Iris also climbed into the back so she could be with him. She held tightly to Wally's hand and put her head on his shoulder. Barry got in the driver's seat. He didn't have his license with him, but he highly doubted he'd get a ticket. All the same, he made sure to drive at exactly the speed limit the entire ride back to Central. Every few minutes he stole glances back at his wife and nephew. Wally stared blankly at the back of Barry's seat, unresponsive to the world around him. Iris was rubbing his arm with her free hand silently. Finally getting home caused Barry to relax marginally, but just marginally.
He helped Wally out of the car first, followed by Iris. Once inside he kissed his wife's head gently. "Go lie down," he told her.
Iris shook her head. "There's so much to do."
"We can't do anything right now. You go to bed and try to get some rest."
"Ok…" Iris disappeared upstairs and Barry turned to Wally, who was standing in the living room like a statue.
"Come on, Wally." Barry corralled Wally to the guest bedroom. He made his nephew lie down, taking he shoes off his feet manually. He ruffled Wally's hair gently. "Try to rest kid." He shut the door silently behind him and checked briefly on Iris. She was laying on her side on the bed, curled up. She was still fully dressed, complete with her shoes on. Barry sighed sadly and pulled a blanket over her. He smoothed her hair out and kissed her gently. He went back downstairs and pulled out his phone. First, he called Iris' manager down at the station. "Hi, Terry. Its' Barry, Iris' husband."
"Barry," Terry said casually. "How you been?"
"I've seen better days. Listen, Iris can't come in today, we've had a death in the family."
"I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Thank you."
"Tell Iris if she needs time off to let us know and we're all thinking of her."
"Yes, thank you. I'll let her know."
"Take care, Barry."
"You too." Barry hung up and dialed another number. "Sergeant."
"Allen," his boss said. "You're late."
"I know, but something's come up. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law were killed early this morning."
"Oh… My condolences."
"Thank you, sir. I won't be coming in today and I'd like to request two weeks off. I know this short notice but-"
"Say no more, Allen. I can give you a short leave for two weeks."
"Thank you. All my open cases notes are at my workstation."
"I'll spread them around to make sure the evidence is all processed on time still."
"Thank you, sir."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. The Keystone police suspect foul play."
"Well if they need help, our labs are open to them."
"Thank you, sir."
"Take care, Allen."
"I'll try, sir." Barry hung up and sat down on the couch. He sat on the edge with his elbows on his knees. After staring at the coffee table for a minute without blinking he put his face in his hands. A quiet, strangled cry came through, muffled by his hands. He took a deep breath and ran his hands down his face. His fingertips stopped momentarily on his lips and he shook his head. There was so much to do. A funeral to plan. Wally needed clothes. Probably a therapist. The Flash should be helping the police find the people responsible. Be there for his wife and nephew in their grief. Hold them together when the world was crumbling around them. So many things that needed to be done. Even for the fastest man alive it would be a lot. He'd already failed his family once, he wasn't going to let it happen again.