Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He came wearing a cap everyday and every time ordered the same thing. He was lean but muscular and tall but unassertive. Donning a casual button down shirt -sometimes a jacket on top of it, sometimes just a baggie hoodie, he appeared reserved while making his order quietly with head bowed and eyes casted downward.
She couldn't look at him or recognise him properly but he looked innocent from whatever face she could see of him. And he always sat at the table in the far corner. And spent a long time here. In fact he gets there in the morning itself and remains there even after her shift ends. He has a tab and sometimes he is seen making notes in his notepad.
It intrigued her. Something seemed weird about him.
Was he a spy? Or a fugitive? Or maybe it's just her. She was being paranoid after the accident. He could just be a normal introverted citizen who likes to come to Jitters everyday for a cup of brew and she was reading too much into this. Afterall she herself was not doing too great. Everything was still blurry for her courtesy to her amnesia.

He smiles fondly at her whenever she serves him. Although being a barista she often was on the receiving end of such courteousness. But it felt different. Like there was something unsaid there. She couldnt put a finger on it. Someday she would like to talk to him. Maybe she knew him from somewhere and can't recognise now.

Iris shrugs and wipes the counter one last time before greeting her coworker Lisa for her shift next. She gets done with her shift and hurries. She throws one last look at the guy, who was writing something in his notebook and leaves. It was 12.45pm. Shit..she was late. All because she was thinking about that guy.

When she reached home, her husband was already waiting for her with their six-month old baby in his arms, who was slobbering with his fingers in his mouth.
Her sweet nerdy husband was a CSI. The job didn't pay that well but they both were making it work with their underappreciated jobs, ever more after their baby was born.
Barry Allen asked for some leniency from the captain because of the baby and because of Iris' health. Since they had few more CSIs in the department and since before all this Barry was always working over hours, the captain relented. That's why he was able to take care of their baby boy Bartholomew junior when she was in Jitters working.
Before her maternity leave, Iris herself was working as a staff writer in ccpn. Of course she doesn't remember all this, her husband told her whatever happened in her life before the accident .

"I'm so sorry. You are late because of me.” Iris expressed with regret, quickly taking the child from him.

“No.. it's fine. There are still a few minutes left." Barry observed her disturbed face and touched her cheek. “Are you okay?”
Ever since her amnesia Barry has been extra protective of her. She still hasn't recalled everything. It's just small details she knew that Barry had filled in about their life in these two months. Except that she had no recollection and memories of her life before the accident.

“Yeah.”

Barry nodded. “Ok I'm getting late, but we are gonna talk about this in the evening.You should not exert yourself so much. " He told her strictly before sighing. "Anyway I have given him a bath and changed his diaper. You will be ok right?”

“Yes I'm fine. You go.” Barry bent down and kissed her sweetly.
“I love you.”

“I love you.” Iris replied.

"Lommmbbabb mmbnm" Bart blabbered

Barry chuckled and pecked his son softly before dropping a quick kiss on Iris’s forehead. “Bye. Call me if anything happens.”

“Yeah.”

Iris was struggling getting her baby to stop crying when she got a call from Cisco.
She reluctantly answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, Iris,Barry is not answering his phone. Where is he?”

“He is at work. What's wrong?”

“Oh he hasn't been to the lab since two days, that's why. I will…talk to him later. How is our junior?"

“he is crying.” she replied frustratingly.

“sorry..maybe I called at a bad time. Caitlin is biting my head off for troubling you. You take care, Iris.”

“Sorry Cisco. Bye.”

Iris realised that the baby was hungry. She searched for its feeder everywhere. She had already nursed Bart in the morning before leaving for work keeping the bottle aside for Barry. She called Barry when she couldn't find the feeder.

“Yes Iris what happened?”

“Barry I pumped the milk last night, now I can't find the milk bottle. Did you keep it somewhere? Or did you feed him?”

Barry recalled her pumping the milk last night and nursing Bart this morning in front of him telling him to give Bart the bottle if needed. But he didn't remember where she kept it afterwards. “No, Iris I didn't . Have you looked in the refrigerator?”

“Not there.”
Barry could hear the cries of his newborn on the phone.
“The cabinets?”

“Checked them already. I think I lost it or ...or maybe I forgot just like my memories.”

“Ok ok..don't panic, breathe...Iris. I will bring a new feeder when I come home. Just relax and feed him the old fashioned way..”

“Ok.”

“Don't worry Iris, I will be back early tonight.”

”...Iris please come back to me. Please Iris I can't live this life without you.” Barry cried.

“Barry it's gonna be ok.” His friend Cisco consoled him seeing his efforts being wasted. It was not working.

“Yes Barry, Jay will definitely find something else..”

“Chester is right, we should trust Jay. And Deon too. We all know how much Iris meant to him.”

“I just…I just lost her again Cisco. The worst part is I didnt even leave her alone this time,...and now I can't...feel her. I lost her."

“Barry we all know what you are going though, and Deon said that Iris -

“Dont say his name! It all happened because of him! If he didn't -”
“Now she is just…" he shook his head and raised his voice. “Iris come back. please…If anything happens to you, I’d die…Iris!!”

“Iris!!”

“Iris…?!”

“Iris please!!”

“ Iris please..Iris?”

“Huh..?” she woke up startled and found her panicked husband calling her. A sleeping Bart was attached to her chest with her blouse pushed above, she was feeding him before she fell asleep.

Barry slowly took the baby and positioned him in the crib. He then crouched at her feet, adjusting her clothes.
“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly.

She pushed her hair back before taking a deep breath. “I dont know, it was…”

“Same nightmare?”

She nodded. “More clearer than before. I was lost Barry and you were crying. Cisco and Chester were helping you and….we were separated… and I…” she rubbed her forehead, frowning “I dont…remember”

“Ok ok..its ok,I'm here.." he said rubbing her arms. "Doctor said the side effects will be there when you will try too hard to remember anything.”

He suggested. “Iris i can call my mother, she can help us with the baby and everything?”

“She can always come, but otherwise we are fine Barry.”

He hesitated before speaking. "Also I think you should stop going to Jitters altogether.”
Iris looked at Barry.
“No look I know you love your work and I'm not being sexist, but health comes first Iris.”

“Barry, I'm fine. Jitters is no big deal for me. It's just these dreams. I promise I will take care of myself.”

Barry was reluctant. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

He sighed.
“Come on, lets eat something while our little guy is taking his nap.”

Next day Iris found that guy again and at the same table. He smiled at her when she entered the coffee shop. His features looked so similar through his cap and beard like she knew him all her life, like they had a connection. But what? She tried so hard to remember again. She couldn't turn her gaze away from him. He eyed her lovingly. Iris held his warm gaze for a second too long that she bumped into the table. He quickly reached her side and tried to steady her. "Iris.." he was so close. She shifted away before excusing herself.

When she served him his coffee, he sipped it before saying a little. “Its nice.” Iris went back to her job. His grin reminded her of her someone. Come to think of it, his eyes were like Bart... She shook her head
Iris has to stop putting this much pressure on her brain. Barry told her she can't risk her health like this. He was right. She needed to stop.

”Oh my god, Barry! Guys he has fainted. Do something.” a voice said

“I think his blood pressure is declining."another voice

"Guys Just leave the room to Joan, she will handle.”

After some time when Joan came outside. “What happened to Barry, is he ok?”

“Yes, its just, he was not eating anything so…”

Cisco said “Ever since Iris he's been like this.”
“Barry expressed to me yesterday that he is gonna go around the multiverse for Iris, Since no one can help her he himself would. He wont lose her.”

Joe scoffed "Barry really thinks only he is going through it right now. I'm Iris' dad!!.”

“Joe, its ok." Jay Garrick interrupted him. "You are her dad yes but Barry is her husband. They were two bodies and one soul. Its not news that he can't survive without her. He is broken and it's his responsibility to save her. We shouldn't stop him.”

Barry flashed in the room suddenly.

“Barry!, I think.... you must rest.”

“Im fine, i have regained my strength. And now i'm going to save her.” he said leaving nothing for argument.

“And no one stops me, especially you Deon.”

Deon looked down stiffly.
He goes to the center of the room and…called the speedforce.
“Iris…I'm coming for you….”

“Iris…Im coming for you..”

Iris narrowed her eyes and turned back spooked, looking at the whole coffee shop and at the guy. Why did it feel like someone…called her. She wasn't even dreaming.

The same guy looked at her with an unreadable expression before looking down. She was flushed and quickly left from there.

When she reached home, she found Nora Allen, Barry's mother playing with Bart.

“Iris, you alright honey?”

“Y..yess. I'm fine” she tried to smile.

After talking with her daughter-n-law for sometime, Nora left and Iris waited for Barry to come home. As soon as he came through the door, Iris fell into his arms and clutched him tightly.

“Iris?..what's wrong?”

“I'm scared.”

At night, Barry called the doctor to tell him about her condition.
“She is trying too hard to remember Mr Allen and that's why it has gotten to the point of hallucinations. Just talk to her and tell that her memories will return at the right time. She doesn't need to put herself through this. The more she tries hard the more her health will worsen.”

“Yeah.”

Barry came back to the bed and put his phone away. He watched his wife smiling with their son who was playing on the bed in front of her in his soft baby blanket.
Bart's little excited shrieks were music to his ears, add to that Iris's innocent laughter. He loved his family..

Bart's arms and legs flailed towards Iris happily. He wanted her to pick him up. Iris reached for him before Barry stopped her.
“Its ok..Iris. I'm gonna put him in his crib.” The little kid put his fists in his mouth and looked at his father sharply as if glaring at him. He looked just like Iris.

“But we were playing Barry.” she cluelessly objected.

Barry looked at her helplessly. “Babe, you should rest.”

Iris looked down. “I'm not ill.”

Barry relented. “Hey, I didn't mean it like that. Ok fine, we should play with him Barry picked up the baby and shifted him in Iris’ arms at which Bartholomew junior shrieked louder and smiled.

Barry chuckled. “He totally takes after you.” he said before kissing her forehead.

Iris smiled slightly then asked. “Barry?”

“Hmm.?”

“Have I become a burden to you?”

Barry's heart sank. “Iris don't entertain these negative thoughts for god's sake. You are fine , we are fine. You don't need to think about anything.”

She nodded.

He pulled her on his chest with Bart laughing and playing in her lap. “Don't you ever think that you have become a burden to me. You don't remember Iris, .....but I wanted to die when I saw you in that emergency room that day. It was like my worst nightmare came true. But then I remembered that I wasnt alone. I had our little boy with me too. And his mother was there, not just my wife. I had the responsibility of my son.
If anything would’ve happened to you Iris. I don't know what we both would have done.
Bart was just crying nonstop. He was missing you badly.
And then ...then you regained consciousness. Breath returned to my lungs. But then I got another big shock that you have lost your memories. It was difficult, very difficult to digest this. Our precious life, all our moments just forgotten. we had a whole life together." He softly smiled. "But you made it easy Iris. You were so cooperative and agreeable when I told you that I was your husband even though I know that you were terrified of trusting just anyone. You didn't remember anything but you loved us back, knowing how much we needed you. I will also do everything I can for you. You just need to stop worrying. Iris I accept you the way you are. Even if you never regain your memories, I will still love you the same way, because you are my life."

Iris had tears in her eyes while listening to her husband. They shared a sweet kiss.

That night Iris slept peacefully and didn't have any nightmares. She woke up relaxed and light hearted after a very long time. She credited it to her conversation with her husband last night. But what exactly was it? All of a sudden? She couldn't find the answer. Barry asked her to just live in the moment and not try too hard so she left it at that.

Not even that, she also couldn't find that guy anywhere near the coffee shop for next few days, which could have eased her troubles a bit, but all it did was give her a mixture of curiosity and weirdness about his whereabouts. Now she was actually worried for him.

"Hi babygirl. How are you?" Joe asked his daughter on the phone.

"I'm fine dad."

"You sure? Barry told to me that you weren't feeling -"

"Barry talks to you about my nightmares?"

"No Iris, I am the one who asked him in passing while working on a case. I just wanted to check on you. Ever since your accident I have been really worried about you."

"Don't worry dad, I'm doing ok."

"I will always worry about you. And we love you a lot, especially Barry. He doesn't want to lose you again."

"I love him too."

"I know darling. You know, watching you and Barry together I miss Francine even more. Being alone doesn't bother me because I have her memories."

Iris smiled.
"You loved mom very much, didn't you?"

"I still do. You don't even remember Iris, but your mother was just like you."

"I wish I could remember." Iris said sadly.

"Its ok Iris, we all are with you. Your memories will return, just take of yourself."

"Search through the multiverse....search thr...ough.....th...multi...ver...."

"Speedforce attest to it.......Iri....lightning ...rod........"

"hel...p me...."

"infinite ear..ths..."

"infinite...ea.."

"Infinite earth.."

"search the multiverse..."

"Search the multiverse....multiverse..."

"lightning rod....

"Lightning....speed... multiverse"

"Barry..!!!" She woke up gasping, the words echoing in her mind.
She looked at her husband fearing that he woke up. But he was fast asleep along with their child in the crib.
"Hu...huh..." She was breathing rapidly, the after effects of that dream.

She pulls back the covers and goes to her baby, who was snoring softly. She bent down and kissed his forehead.
She thought she was finally free after spending almost a week without having any nightmares but it was too good to be true. The nightmares were back and with them anxiety, uneasiness, dread and suffocation were back too.
She was back to square one. Barry would be disappointed. Sometimes she wished that she was insomniac she wouldn't have to go through it then.

"Multi... multiverse." She shook her head and came back to bed

"Mm.. Iris?" Barry mumbled.

"Yes."

"What's wrong."

"Nothing i was just thirsty." She lied

"Ok.. come back to sleep."

Next day Iris decided to get some answers. She took Bartholomew junior with her and went to one place she knew could answer her questions .

"So you agree that I'm the biggest Trekkie ever, right?"

"Cisco please, can you just stop it already. Dr Wells wouldn't be too happy about us idling around."

"Excuse me, you didn't complain about that last night when we were fooling around in the lab in his absence. And now that I have won the star trek's quiz- "

"Oh god!" Caitlin sighed impatiently. "It was you who kissed me firs- Iris!!" The woman stopped seeing Iris with her toddler entering the cortex.

"Hey, what brings you by, come on in." She smiled and greeted her.

"Well she is already in, Caitlin. Hey Iris."

"Hello Cisco, hi Caitlin." Iris smiled.

"Hey junior!" Cisco squealed and went to take the babbling Bart from her, behaving like a child himself.

"You will have to excuse my husband Iris."

Once in his arms Bart innocently caught a bunch of Cisco's shiny black hair and put it in his mouth.

"Ookkk Bart...we need to set some rules, you can't play with my babies.." Cisco instructed while Iris and Caitlin were laughing.

"So you came here to talk to us about something and you don't want Barry to know about your visit?"

Iris nodded seriously

Cisco and Caitlin eyed each other with concern.

"Do you guys..." she took a deep breath "what can you tell me about the...the multiverse?"

"Why...do you want to know about this, is it related to your memories?" Caitlin asked concernedly.

"I just....i just want to know.. it's important."

"Well...multiverse..umm...so according to Dr Wells, and several other scientists, multiverse means many universes." Cisco slowly told her indulging her questions.

"Do they ...exist? Does multiverse exist?" Iris asked curiously.

"I mean it hasn't been proven yet but it's a theory and many scientists are sure that it does"

"What about the speed force or infinite earths?"

Cisco and Caitlin again looked at each other fidgeting.
"Dr Wells was very close to proving a theory that besides our earth there are many other earths out there with human life."
Iris was listening everything attentively. "They are running parallelly with our earth. According to space- time continuum, to every decision or choice we make here on this earth, there is a counter or different decision made which makes rise to a different trajectory of our life from that point. Thats how another earth, another life is created. This project was everything to Harrison Wells until it got destroyed.” Cisco concluded.

"But it's possible right, there are infinite earths?"

"Umm...." Cisco nodded. "It might be possible."

"What are you doing here?" The speed force asked Barry.

"Don't you know why? My wife is missing!”


"Iris is your lightning rod Barry, the speed force attests to it. You both are connected through a very strong spark. All you have to do is call out to her. establish a connection with her.

"She is not responding." He gritted his teeth. "And that's why I'm going to search through the entire multiverse for her, and keep searching until I find her. If you are gonna help me ,then fine... otherwise I'm enough."

"Do you think searching the multiverse, wasting your energy like that is gonna help, Barry?"

Barry raised his voice again. "Yes!! there are infinite no of earths in this universe! I'm gonna search each one of them."

"If your connection with her is not working, if you are not feeling that spark, then that means your Iris is trapped somewhere, a very impenetrable place or plane of existence, its a dangerous place, and she is not being able to reach you.."

Barry had tears in his eyes. "I will bring her back even from death, I will do anything to get her back." He said with determination, "wherever she is."

"Very well. Then you have to reach her though other difficult ways, taking the extreme measures."

Barry had his hand over her eyes. Iris impatiently said. "What is it Barry, and where is Bart?"

Iris was excited for what Barry had planned for her birthday, especially after the steamy birthday gift she received last night.
Last night Barry and Iris both got carried away a bit. After putting Bart to sleep, they both were at it, making love. Her husband ravished her sweetly. His personal birthday gift to her, he had joked.

Barry opened the door to enter their loft holding Iris.”Iris relax, Bart is with mom.”

As soon as he removed his hand from her eyes, Barry yelled "surprise!!" with all the other guests.

She gasped happily, "Oh god."

"Happy birthday darling!!" A man with blond hair and fancy suit with a hat from 1970's came to greet and hug her. “Joe will be here soon.”

Iris shifted in herself uneasily, not recognising the man. "Who...who are you?"

"Um... Iris, you dont remember Martin. Martin Stein.?" Barry assuaged. "I'm sorry Martin, you know, her memories..."

Martin sighed with concern.
"Oh dear! Joe told me it was bad. Iris, I'm your dad, i mean your second dad."

" He is Joe's husband, Iris."

Iris shockingly looked at them. She couldn't believe her ears. "What??"

"Its ok Iris you will remember everything soon. And Barry take care of our girl."
Barry nodded. "I will."

"Im glad Iris that you broke up with that loser Tommy Moran and married Barry."

"Stop!!. No, no it's not possible, my dad was married to my mom.. A few days back he told me how much he loves her and misses her. So you can't be my dad..Barry no."

"Ok... Iris calm down take it easy..."

"Barry just take her inside and let her relax a bit, we can wait." Stein suggested again.

Iris was very confused. She rubbed her forehead as Barry made her sit on the couch. "I'll go check up on Bart."
What was happening? Something was wrong. Her dad, how could he be married when on the phone he told her...

Cisco interrupted her musings. "Iris happy birthday!"
Iris tried to smile but her mind was running with so many questions.
"Umm...Cisco?" She called him discreetly "Remember, don't tell Barry about my visit to star labs yesterday, Ok?"

"Uh.. what are you talking about Iris, what visit?" Cisco shrugged. "When did you ever come there yesterday?"
Iris smiled thankfully. "Smart."

Cisco scrunched his brows confused and turned to Barry as he returned.

"Ok you guys, so.....tomorrow I'm gonna do it."
Barry gasped happily. "Oh my god, congratulations man!" He hugged him.

"Do what?" Iris asked.
"Cisco is gonna propose to Caitlin tomorrow, Iris. Show me the ring dude..."

The guys were looking and admiring the ring as Iris kept sitting there muted.

The dread filling every fiber of her body, her hazy memories doing saumersault in her brain.
"You will have to excuse my husband, Iris."
The bone-chilling fear overpowered her as she tried to make sense of everything happening around her.

Far away on the Central city shoreline, a woman was slowly gaining consciousness after having drifted out of sea. She started to sit up holding her head. When the fog cleared from her mind, she looked around herself with half-opened eyes. She was confused and shocked, finding herself all alone on a shore. "Oh my god..."

To be continued..

Chapter Text

Bartholomew jr was trying to crawl in his crib on his chest and hands, huffing and panting. Iris rolled him on his back carefully. He again rolled over and tried to crawl unsuccessfully, flailing his legs. Iris again rolled him over securely. The child again repeated this, too enthusiastic to give up.

“He is growing up too fast, isnt he?”

Iris looked at her husband walking over, who was chuckling seeing the child.

"Yeah.”

Barry scooped Bart up in his arms and cooed sweetly. "There's my handsome boy! Daddy's heartbeat. Iris look at him- "

She asked suddenly. "When did you know about Cisco and Caitlin?”

“Huh?" He was confused by the sudden deviation "oh..everyone knows about them, Iris. They have been dating since-”

“they are already married Barry!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Yes they are. Caitlin herself said this yesterday when I went to Star labs with Bart. She referred to Cisco as her husband.”

“Wait, you went to Star labs yesterday with Bart?”

She gulped. “Yes..s.”

“Why?”

“I needed to find some answers. Barry trust me. They are married. You call Cisco, he will tell you the truth..”

Barry looked on. The baby was playing, poking his ears and face

“Come on, call him.”

He sighed and shifted Bart in Iris's arms and went to take his phone from outside.

Iris positioned the child in his crib and waited.

She turned to Barry coming over who had the phone on his ear as he looked at Iris with an unwavering gaze. He put the phone on speaker.
“Cisco,tell me honestly Iris came there at star labs yesterday?”

“...no Barry, as I was telling you just now, she didn't. I said the same thing to her at the party because I was confused. She never met me.”

Iris thought she had been struck by something.
She shockingly eyes her husband and shakes her head.

“Cisco are you sure? maybe Caitlin knows about her visiting.?”

“....I'm sure Barry. Before tonight Caitlin and I haven't met her since you two came to Oliver's party , that was two weeks ago.”

“Yeah…I remember. And you are still proposing right? You are not married already?” Barry asked, looking directly at Iris..

“...hff I wish. But yes wish me luck, hope she says yes.”
Iris shook her head fervently.

“She will, all the best man!.”

Iris desperately spoke when the call disconnected. “He is lying because I asked him to not tell you. That's why.
Cisco and caitlin both were there yesterday Barry. I swear they are married.”

Barry sighed “Ok even if he is lying on your saying. Why would you go there Iris?”

“Because of..” she gulped. “because of my nightmares!”

Barry dropped his head back. “Iris I told you to just take it easy. You are gonna worsen your health doing all this. These hallucinations, these delusions..”

“Barry, I'm not delusional! I know what delusions are. You have to believe me. I'm not hallucinating. Cisco and caitlin are married already, I went there yesterday!”

He sighed. “You have amnesia. You don't remember anything Iris.”

“Please! I know I don't remember. But the things happening in front of my eyes, I know them to be true, my eyes can't betray me.”

"A couple days ago you were having nightmares..." he said shaking his head and went to bed.

"this is different!. Barry you have to believe me. I'm telling the truth... I'm not imagining anything. Barry.."

The next morning she woke up and got ready for work. After coming to jitters she tried to pry. “Umm..Tracy, do you know the guy who used to come here for coffee and used to keep sitting there for long hours. He just …stopped coming altogether recently..” she tried to chuckle a little to make it casual. “you know anything about it?”

“Which one are you talking about I don't remember.?”

“The one with the stubble and a cap, had a pretty casual attire, who used to come everyday in the morning like 7 and used to sit there in the far corner.?”

“I…don't..no ..I mean I don't remember anyone sitting here at long hours Iris.. no one is that free these days.”

Iris slowly shifted her gaze away. It's not possible.

“..but maybe you remember him better than me.”

Was Barry and everyone right? Was she hallucinating?

Iris was taking orders.
“Good morning. What can I get you?” She politely asked without looking at the customer in front of her.

“Hey. Can I get a cup of double espresso,go-to please? I have a long day of work at the station today.”

“Coming right up.”

Iris took the styrofoam cup out and asked for the customer's name

“Its Eddie.” he replied.

Iris goes blank for a second. She looked at the man standing in front of her and froze as the recognition took place. She knew him.

”Well...I wanted it to be real, Iris."

”I didn't like the way I felt watching you and Barry last night. Something's changed between you two. Whatever that is, I am Not okay with it.”

“Iris West, will yo-”

“Hey,..hey!” The man shook his hand in her face, getting her attention.

“Yea…yeah…” she spluttered and began to make his drink.

“Eddie” huffed frustratingly and checked his watch. The queue behind him waited impatiently.
‘what the hell is taking so long?’ ‘this staff is nuts’

Iris winced and worked hastily with not so nimble fingers. She handed him over his cup with shaky hands.

“Iris..i will handle the queue, you step aside.” Her coworker said, gauging the situation and morning rush of angry customers.

Iris clutches her forehead as the memories start getting jumbled in her mind. She stepped aside and got lost in a whirlwind of craziness.

”I signed the lease and put both of our names on it.

“..all I know is right here right now, I wanna spend every moment I can with you. You are the first thing I wanna see when I wake up and the last thing I wanna see when I sleep.”

“....Barry you always had someone to come home to, Me!”

“You are my home Iris.”

“....wherever you go you’ll always be Barry and I'll always be Iris and we’ll always find each other.”

“I love you Iris West-Allen.”

“my babygirl!!..who has grown into this beautiful woman...”

“I don't have to run when I’m with you.”

“You know my life was lot easier when I didnt know I had a sister” “but it's a lot better now that you have me, isn't it?”

“Everything he’s been doing is all a lie, Wells(Thawne) killed my mom.”

“that’s all I ever wanted to be, your hero.”

“...that's Iris's life we are talking about!”

“how long have you known this” “a couple of weeks Joe,” “and you are telling me now, that's my daughter!!”

“I'm your daughter, …from the future. nora.”

All the memories flashed in front of her eyes making her head hurt like hell. she was gasping. Suddenly coming into action she scanned the coffee shop for “Eddie”.

Iris started swaying on her feet as Tracy steadied her.
“Whoa!..Iris are you okay?”

“I…I think I know that guy..the one who..left just now.”

Tracy looked around and sighed.
“Hey, do you wanna leave early? I…don't think you are feeling ok.”

She nodded.

After getting home, she called.
“Barry..”

Her heart skipped a beat not finding him or Bart there. They usually waited for her in the living room. But the eerie calmness scared her.
“Bart?”

Iris started searching for them. “Bart!”

She heard some movement and braced herself clutching her bag tightly.

Barry came out of the bedroom holding Bart on his shoulders, and gesturing “sshh..” with his fingers.

He signaled that Bart was sleeping.
Iris gulped and nodded.

He adjusted him in his crib.

“So I have called Martin. He is researching your symptoms whatever is wrong with you and he is gonna watch over Bart too. Meanwhile we have an appointment with your doctor.”

“What?”

“Yes.”

“Where is my brother Barry?”

“You don't have one..”

“No, I …I do.”

“This is getting too far Iris.”

“You..” she looked around her home, seeing every corner and something clicked.
“How could…how can you afford this ..this loft Barry when you said that we are just getting by on your salary?”

“What are you talking about?”

“How can you afford such a big loft..it's not even an apartment., it's so big it has guest room and kitchen and bedroom..tell me the truth.”

“Uh..”

“Because a fortune was left to you by Dr Wells aka Thawne, right?”

“Iris ..”

“Thawne left it for you after he ..left..” she rubbed her forehead getting confused. “..he left and proving your dad innocent….”

“Iris who is Thawne?’

“Dr Wells…in a wheel chair, just acting.”

“Are you kidding me, Dr Harrison Wells is the CEO of Star labs. And he is not in a wheel chair."

“Oh really? Then tell me where this loft came from?”

“Came from? I bought it. We bought it. I …I had some savings left by my dad.”

She shook her head, with tearful eyes. “You are lying, you are lying.”

He held her arms gently and spoke. “You are hallucinating, alright? Whatever memories you are getting, they are just illusions. Nothing more.”

Amidst all this Bart whimpers were heard and Barry pulled away attending to him. He cooed to the child.

Iris blurted all of a sudden. “Bart wasn't supposed to be here.”

Barry’s eyes snapped to her.
“We were supposed to have Nora first, our daughter. This is…this is all wrong Barry..” she muttered getting lost in thought.

Martin coming there broke her out of her trance. She looked on as her husband and him were having a serious conversation on the side. Their voices were barely audible. Barry shifted Bart to Martin and spoke.

“Iris…. You need help. We need to go to the hospital. Everything will be fine then.”

He grabbed her hand.

She resisted. “No…I'm not going.”

“Iris please honey.. it's for your own good.” Martin sweetly spoke to her.

“But what is the urgency, I'm fine Barry.”

Barry kept looking at her. He spoke after a second.
“Tracy called and told me everything that happened at the coffee shop today.”

“What..”

“Yes and I have called them and informed them that you are not coming to work from tomorrow.”

She shook her head with disbelief. “How could you do this?”
How could Barry do this without asking her.

“After everything that's happened, you seriously need to ask that question? Your health comes first Iris. I cannot lose you. Come on we are leaving…”

“No…no Barry I don't wanna go..”she put some distance between them. “They can't understand what is happening with me.” she was crying.

Little Bart was reaching out to his mother with his hands. He was whimpering too seeing his mother like this.

“they are treating you Iris, they know.”

“No..” she reached out to Bart. Barry stopped her. “Bart will be there for you when we come back.”

“Ok…ok, i will go to a doctor. A doctor that I Know. A normal doctor cannot treat my symptoms Barry. I know a doctor, i know the people that can help me.”

“Who?”

“Dr Caitlin snow. Yes, Cisco and Caitlin can help me. They’ll know what's happening to me, they know about timelines and different earths etc..”

“What? How can Caitlin help you. She is not a doctor Iris, she is a lawyer…”

“No..” she shook her head whispering.

“Uh..Barry is right Iris, even if Mr. and Mrs Ramon can help you, right now, they can't. They are newly married… " he added "but all of us want you to get better.”

Her stomach dropped hearing this and she started stepping backwards.
She cried. “You…Barry you, you said they weren't…
You….all of you are making me insane…why?”

“Iris..baby no.” Barry worriedly called her.

“Don't!…don't..come near me. Im not mad,I'm not hallucinating. You are making me lose my sanity. I know.. you all …are making me delusional..”

“Iris, I love you!” Barry said.

“No…no..you are not my Barry.” She cried.
“I'm so…so confused. i.cant stay here.. i have to go..i cant…yo are making me lose my mind.” she rubbed her forehead circling to the door.

“Iris…”

“Don't…don't….”

She came out the door and came face to face with Nora Allen.

“You are leaving Bart." She shook her head. "How could you be a good mother, when you never even had one.”

Iris frowned sensing a deja vu.

“You need help.”

Iris pushed past the older woman, getting away and bumped into her father.

“Where are you going? You are always running towards danger. You are insane. You need help!”

“No..”
Iris pulled away frightened and ran away from there.

Not waiting for the elevator she took the stairs. Reaching the landing on the last one, a wheel chair stopping a few feet away.
Dr Wells or Thawne got up on his feet and slowly walked up to her.

He smirked. “There's is no place to hide Iris West. The Flash’s wife needs …” he laughed sinisterly. “ ..help. You need help.”

Iris clutched her forehead running away as more hazy memories assaulted her brain. Everything was wrong here. She ran away stumbling on her feet, away from all this.

The woman looked at the clear sky upward and sighed, fully knowing it won't last long. It happened here, you cant tell when it becomes cloudy or sunny or rainy. The sea in front of her was dangerous but also mystical.

By this time she has realised that she was somewhere in a different realm, because there was not a single soul present here. Even before she was drifted and marooned here. This place looked like a deserted city without any humans, except for tangible buildings and cars and of course the nature, which she was thankful for, she didnt know if she would survive without any oxygen. With some effort she was successful in lighting a fire and cooking something fish-like for herself. She didnt know what it was. She just ate it with eyes closed.
She was aware that help was not coming and she had to keep her energy. Because the protein bars she had kept with her were all wet and soggy. It's been days.

Up until now she was pulling quite a Chuck Noland….without having her own Wilson, of course. Also he was still on earth. God knows where she was.

But she knew that she couldn't go on like this for long. She needed to get out of here. To find out how she was sent here. Last she knew she was working on-

The sudden bright blue light interrupted her thoughts. Sensing danger she quickly hid behind a rock. She saw a whirlwind of energy crackling and opening in the middle blinding her eyes. Someone was coming. The blue sea of bright energy was spreading in the area nearby.

At last it stopped and there stood a woman in an nice outfit, outfit which for the life of her she couldn't remember.

She came out of hiding, thinking something of this development.

The woman in front of her took in her surroundings turning over and over when her gaze fell on her. She gasped shockingly as she saw her. “You…you?..”

She nodded and pressed her lips together giving her a short smile before introducing herself. “Iris West-Allen, Central city citizen me- citizen” she stopped herself from disclosing.

The woman whined. “...Oh god! No way…did I... did I time travel? Shit.. it's my first time..” She cursed and then took a step forward before extending her hand and smiling. “Iris West not-yet Allen.” she shook her head.
“How…umm… where ..i mean when are you from and how are you here, and where exactly are we?”

The older Iris said. “Later. Its a long story, first you tell me which year you are from exactly?” she had some idea where the other Iris could be from, looking at her hairstyle and her hourglass shape figure

“You know Savitar?”
Older Iris nodded.
“Im after the whole Savitar fiasco..…I mean I'm alive.”

Older Iris looked at her deadpanned. “Im your future version, you don't have to state the obvious.”

Iris West huffed and got mad. “you know what? It all happened because of you.”

“Because of Me?”

“I mean because of us… Because of an Iris West or West-Allen, i dont know. She decided to timetravel and because of her I'm stuck here for days.”

The older Iris pointed with her thumb blankly. “You Just came out of a wormhole.”

“I didnt Just come out. I'm stuck at this place here, for four days. I was alone no one was there. I was scared at first, like terrified. I was struggling finding ways to make contact with Barry and then I was suddenly sent here on this island.. ”

“Sent here by who?”

“Villains obviously meta humans...some invisible force , i don't know.”

“So you are not aware whoever it was..hmm.” she stated seriously, turning away and walking toward the rocks.

Younger Iris followed her. “But you are from the future, you must have some idea about it, right?”

“I do.”

“Great, so you found a way to get out of here.?”

“I wouldnt be here if I had.”

“You didn't tell me which year you are from?”

Older Iris turned to her. “2026. I was investigating a case, a metahuman named Touch-me-n….I can't tell you that.”

“Why?”

She looked at her like she was insane. “Don't you know this basic rule, noone should know about their future. It disrupts the timeline.”

“Oh…but what if whatever you were investigating is related to why we are stuck here?"

“I don't think so”

“How long have you been here?”

“It's been more than a week for me. I had this…” she showed her the “...an extrapolator..?” younger Iris asked.

“This is a much much more advanced version of that. It not only works as a transportation device.. It is linked to my dna and my fingerprints as well. Wherever I am, all over the multiverse, my husband can always find my location. It has some other advanced features as well.”

“ohh that's not TMI now?”

Older Iris went on completely ignoring her.
“...after the crisis these things were not working because the multiverse did not exist, only one earth was there. And all the heroes were here only, not at their respected earths. But some years down the line we found out that the multiverse still existed, only we were not aware, and then this was created by Barry, Cisco and Chester.”

“.....”

“What?”

Younger Iris raised her brows. “Ok whatever you said went straight over my head. But I'm fine not knowing.” She sighed. “So I'm guessing you can't use it now..”

“It's not working here.” She slowly walked over to younger Iris. “Do you know… what that means?”

She shook her head.

“... that we are not anywhere....in the multiverse.”

She froze hearing this.

“Wherever we are it's some place else…or maybe some different reality. We are not connected to our universe. To any universe. We are marooned.”

“....thats not …terrifying at all..”

“The spark inside us is dormant but at least we are alive.”

Younger Iris smiled sarcastically “Very reassuring, thanks.”
“I guess we are gonna work together and find something, thats what we do. But first I'm starving, do you have something to eat here?” she asked causally sitting on a rock.

“Yeah, of course, I have a fine dining full seven- course meal ready to be devoured.” older Iris said sitting on the ground.

“Ughh..”

She eyed her future self proudly then. “It's ..um..good to know I'm still in shape in 2026. You look good .” she stated looking at her shyly.

Her future self was taken aback hearing that.
“Thanks. You really think so?” She asked touching her arms consciously. “I get conscious about it sometimes. After the birth of my baby i thought I didnt completely lose all that baby weight.”

Younger Iris choked on air and coughed “Spoilers alert please!”

“I'm sorry.. here.." she passed her a small bottle of water, which she had filled earlier.

Younger Iris took it. “It's ok. So Barry and I will have kids..hmm.” she muttered secretly. She gulped down the water and made a face not finding the taste all that good. Hazards of having abundance of water... only for it to be not-potable. She shook her head.

“Hey by the way, have you thought about names like what we should call each other. We are two Iris’s, it can get confusing.”

The future Iris looked at her incredulously. “Really?”

“Yeah…how about um…you be West-Allen and I’d be West.”

“No thanks. How about we just call each other Iris. I address you as Iris, you address me the same. We are only people here. It's not like we will address ourselves as ‘Iris’- unless you talk to yourself. ”

“point..”

West gets sad and broke the silence a minute later. ”I miss my Barry. We were gonna get married. If he had known I was starving, he'd go across the states or even countries to bring me my favourite food.” Her eyes were glistening as she looked at Iris West-Allen. “Your Barry must be worried sick for you too, and your baby.”

West-Allen for the first time felt her younger self’s pain
even more than herself. She was a young woman who was about to get married to the love of her life. She must have had so many future dreams of her married life with Barry after she just got her life back after spending months on fear of dying by the hands of a broken and damaged time remnant of her lover from different timeline, and now this. Future Iris remembered how she had felt in those moments. Barry was gone and she was all alone for six months. She didn't even know if he would ever be back. She just kept running like he asked her to. It was so difficult,so painful.

She looked at her younger self sympathetically. “Yeah.. I'm…I'm sorry. I know how hard it is for you. Barry must be in the speed force for six months and you got in this mess-”

“Why would Barry be in the speed force?” West asked interrupting her.

“Did he…not go yet? You are from 2017 right?”

“Yeah, but why would Barry go to speed force…for six months?”

It was Iris West-Allen’s turn to get confused. “Umm…to repent his mistake of creating flashpoint, it was his…his penance?” she was panicking.

“He… didn't go anywhere. He was with me. We were on a date.”

“Oh God..oh god.!!….” Older Iris was shocked. She stood up. “She ..she changed the past.” she started pacing.

“What??”

“Yess!..the other Iris who is time traveling, she changed my past and your future probably.”

“Ohh!! what ..what are we gonna do now?” West was terrified thinking how she was gonna get out of this mess. How would Barry even know about her whereabouts when she is not even connected to the multiverse. And what if due to the timeline change he forgot about her.

West-Allen was deep in concentration, already trying to think through the ramifications of this change.
Barry didn't go to the speed force, so he didn't return. No bus metas, no Devoe..no …Nora visiting? No crisis, no mirrorverse?
“Wait how did you know that other version of us is time traveling?”

“Because she visited me. Just before all this. She appeared , I saw her, she looked terrified. She just warned me that I shouldn't tell anyone about this because time travelling has consequences and then left through a wormhole.” Suddenly something clicked for her. West raised her brows shockingly “You..you don't… remember meeting another Iris in 2017, it's your past.”

West-Allen shook her head slowly. “NO..I Don't. And neither do I have rewritten memories of that visit. It never happened for me.”
Barry and hers entire history was distorted. Iris West-Allen was shook to the core. This is very very serious and untoward. How she is gonna contact Barry and tell him. Time travel has consequences. She has heard this so many times before. She has experienced it so many times before that now it's ingrained in her mind as a forbidden rule. But she never in her dreams could imagine that one of her younger self, an Iris West will make the same mistake which Barry is always telling the consequences of. Or maybe she didn't do intentionally, she didn't do it on purpose. but it doesn't take away the fact that everything is ruined now. What if it's another flashpoint.

“Wow..!” Iris West let out.

“The entire timeline is disrupted.” West-Allen went quiet as she uttered her next words. “It may also mean that she has Marty Mcfly-ed ourselves out of existence!”

Here Iris was running and running getting away from this life. This life that was not hers, she knew that. How did she get into that accident? how did she lose her memories? What about the new memories playing with her mind? What is all that? The things that she watched and experienced with her own eyes, people in her life are hell bent on proving them wrong. And suddenly they become right again. Why were her loved ones doing this to her. Why are they making her insane? Did she really lose her memories or were they lying. How could her own husband, her Barry lie to her? He loved her didn't he. Didnt matter now. She didn't wanna go back to him. With a pang in her heart, she thought about her child. Her sweet innocent Bart. She didn't want to leave him but she had no other choice. Her baby had no fault. How would he live without his mother. She prays for him.
Suddenly she felt herself being yanked into an dark secluded alleyway.
She couldn't even shout before the man pinned her to the wall, crowding her with his weight.

She was shocked seeing the guy from jitters in front of her.

He removed his cap and straightened his hair. Iris looked at him carefully.
She gasped. “Bar…Barry?”

He nodded. “Yes Iris, Barry ..your Barry.”

She had so many questions going through her mind. She tried to remember about Barry, the Barry who she just left, who loved her so much but was hellbent on taking her to the hospital for her treatment. She tried to remember his loving words to her from the other night. She didn't have any answer, what was reality, what was not? But the way this Barry was looking at her, like he was on the verge of losing his everything and was counting on only her to make it alright, something shifted in her heart.
This Barry had the same affection for her like her husband. But he also had desperation just like hers. Suddenly Iris was bombarded with memories of a virtuality that was too impossible to ignore now as just hallucinations. It was real. It was all real. It was her life. She just knew it in her heart now. She closed her eyes remembering the moments spent with him. Their history. Their lives.

She would’ve fell if Barry hadn't held her.
“Iris..”

“Barry…Barry it's really you.?”

“It's me.”

She leaned forward and fell in his arms.
He pulled her against his chest securely.

For a few minutes they both just cried.

“I missed you so much Iris. I missed you so much.”

She pulled away. “Barry, what is happening? What is real…I don't understand.”

“Iris…you have no idea how I was struggling to find you. You don't know how I reached here. What I sacrificed.”

“...where are we Barry? And what is this life? Is it…is it real? You were the one searching for me right, in my dreams…”

“Yes..” he nodded.

“Please tell me what is going on..how did I end up here? I have an amnesia in this timeline…my husband and our son Bart…I don't understand..what's happening?”

“Iris .. whatever I know, I will tell you. First we need to get out of here. Come on, we have no time.”

Barry grabbed her hand. He took her to the pod surrounded by speed force energy, which she guessed how he reached here. Barry put her before him and asked her to enter not risking her leaving behind. Before she could jump into it though,

Barry started disappearing before her eyes. “Iris-” his hand in hers lost.

“Barry!!” She tried to reach out only to find ghost of his fingers on her skin. She found the pod vanished as well.
“Barry!!”

A sudden blue energy enveloped her making her vanish.

When she opened her eyes in the next second, she found herself in a hospital. Iris walked a few steps carefully taking in her surroundings.

“Iris…baby!”

She turns and gets the biggest shock, coming face to face with her husband’s rival.

“What are you doing here?” He asked smiling, coming over to her.

To be continued..

Chapter Text

“You could've told me you were coming. You shouldn't be here.” Thawne was speaking to her and she kept standing there listening to him stunned.
No no, no no…this can't be happening. This is reverse flashpoint all over again. She quickly stepped back from him.
“Oh come on you still mad at me? Look this is not the place for you to- “

“Mr Thawne!” Someone called him. “Thankyou for all you do for the City. And thankyou for getting these criminals arrested. Some of them are severely injured and have to stay in hospital for a few days, but we are indebted to your intel.”

Iris was surprised seeing Captain singh there. “Captain Singh.”

The man turned to her “Mrs Iris Thawne.”

Her eyes widened hearing that.

“Its nice to meet you.” Singh greeted her.
“Anyway I will take your leave, I have to go back to the station. But don't forget to come for the annual fundraiser this Saturday.”

“Of course.”

Iris wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it. What the hell happened that she married this monster in this timeline?

“Come on, we should leave too. I don't want you near those criminals.” he tried to reach for her but Iris backed away. “I'm not going anywhere with you!!” She gritted her teeth.

“Baby come on.”

“I am not your baby. And I won't come with you. Never.”

Thawne’s face grew serious and his eyes shone with rage and smile slipped from his lips.
He grabbed her wrist roughly.
“I said Let’s.Go.! I'm not gonna repeat myself!”

He dragged her through the hospital compound and threw her in the backseat, before slipping in the car beside her. He instructed the driver to start the car.

Iris yelled. “How dare you?”

Eobard’s expressions changed again..he looked at her with concern.
“I'm sorry, but you were creating a scene there.” He touched her hands with sweet affection.
“Come on don't be angry. I'm your husband. You know how much I love you. Lets just go home.”
Iris yanked her hands away from his. “no way, you can't be my husband.”

They entered star labs facility.
“Why are we at star labs?”

“Well this is kinda our second home. So why not.”
“Team..gather up”

Eobard's team gathered up in the cortex. There stood Hunter(zoom), Caitlin(killer frost), Cecile, Allegra and Chillblaine.
“We were waiting for you guys. How did it go?” Cecile asked.

“Smooth like water. Allen’s guys are currently in the hospital..police will take care of them.” Thawne said smugly.

Iris questioned. “What the hell did you do to Barry? Tell me.”

“You still care about that shitty little Barry Allen? Tch tch.......I guess it's all that ‘old love cannot be forgotten’ bullshit....aww poor WestAllen and their pathetic love story.” killer Frost(Caitlin) made a nasty remark.

Iris wanted to smack her. All this time, after whatever they had done for her, after what Barry and the team had done for her even when she selfishly betrayed them and threw them under the bus at every opportunity “Shut up bitch. Don't you dare say anything about him.”

“Killer…i mean caitlin.” Thawne warned her. “Iris is very exhausted…and angry, so refrain.”

Killer frost raised her hands in defense. “Fine if she wants to be on the losing team.”

“So you guys know what you have to do. Hortan, find out what Allen is planning next. Zoom and killer, both of you sweep all over the city and find out where he is hiding. Allegra you take care of Iris.”

Mark aka Chillblaine asked eagerly rubbing his hands. “And what should I do Eobard?

“Ah.. Chill lame..you…you prepare for the party..ok.”

“Party.. really?” he sounded deflated.

“Yes, for tonight’s party, come on, get to work.”

The team dispersed as Thawne moved toward Iris. “Come baby we are going home.”

Iris knew whatever this reality is its wrong and it's not even real.
“I'm not gonna stay with you Eobard. I am going.”

“Iris ..” Thawne signaled Allegra and she came into action.
Soon as Iris exited the cortex, a loud energy blast stopped her from moving ahead.
Allegra said. “Sorry. Boss’s order. I have to take care of you.”
“Really Allegra? You are taking this man’s side. Don't you know who Eobard thawne is?”

“I'm sorry Iris. I'm your bodyguard and I'm taking you home.”

She still exited the building with Allegra hot on her heels after Iris.
“I don't need you to take me anywhere.”

“Iris, Eobard will be very angry. You know what he can do. You don't wanna test him when he is angr-”

All of a sudden, a loud vibrational energy disturbed the atmosphere making them both fall backward.

Allegra fell unconscious and Iris was taken away.

She was dropped off in a boat near an island -like area in her semi-conscious state.
“Wha..t ..” she slowly opened her eyes and found a man standing in front of her.

“Cisco?”

“The name’s Reverb Iris. I never liked Cisco.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

He smirked. “I had a duty to my boss.” He stepped aside and smiled looking at other man. “Your welcome.”
revealing the only person that Iris wanted to see all this while.

He had a gruff look sporting a stubble on his face. He wore a black biker jacket and jeans. His hair was a mess. His hands had multiple rings and a gold bracelet. His shoes were typical ‘big bad mafia I will you crush you’ shoes.

He was beefed up like he worked out everyday. He looked so unlike her sweet nerdy awkward husband. But he was Barry nonetheless.

“Barry…” Iris gasped.

“god.. Iris..”

They both ran toward each other and he squeezed her tightly to him, taking a sigh of relief. “Are you okay? He didn't hurt you right?” Even his voice was different, more raspy and scruffy.
“I ask this question every time we meet because I'm so scared that fucker is gonna hurt you. I'm on my edge constantly thinking the worst. You have no idea what I would do if he hurt you, I will burn this city alive”

Iris knew it was not her Barry. In fact he seemed completely opposite of her barry. On the opposite side of law. But she still felt secure in his arms. Like he was the only one that made sense in this whole twisted world, even though nothing was making sense right now. But she knew every version of Barry is Iris'.
“I missed you.” She whispered, pulling away.” So much.”

“I missed you too Iris.“ He tilts her face and kissed her fiercely. The kiss goes on for too long. He never wanted to stop. Barry's guys Reverb and other people were just watching them until Hartley gave everyone a look and all of them understood the meaning of giving them some privacy.

But Goldface, Ralph and Birch were staring at them like a hawk with mouth open.

Reverb pushed them whispering. “Heyh…didn't you listen to the man. Get to work, and secure the border. We already lost few of our men.”

Barry and Iris pulled away slowly. “Mm…ahhh. “What I needed. “ He sighed deeply. “Come on.” he said, grabbing her hand and taking her to his cabin on the boat.

Iris looks around and questions. “This is where you live?”

Barry frowns. “What kind of questions you are asking?” He smiled. “Yes. For now.”

What about the loft? Iris wanted to ask but kept quiet. She is gonna find out everything happening in that timeline or reality whatever, eventually. She needs to observe first. How come she ended up with Thawne and why was he calling her his wife when Barry is still here and there is no way she would marry Thawne of all people. She can't even think about him.

What happened to him? to them?

She was lost in thoughts looking around the cabin when she felt him pulling her suddenly. He made them fall on the bed.
“Ah..” she gasped landing on his lap as he sat on the edge.
“What..what are you..what are we..?

“Why do you think?” He raised his brows and smirked.

“Umm..we can't.”

“Baby, come on…it's been days since I touched you.”

She frowns and looks at him for a second as his words register in her mind. Whoa! this Iris was….really… amazing. Being married doesn't deter her from being with the love of her life. Who is she kidding, she herself wouldn't resist herself being with Barry. But she wouldn't marry someone like Thawne either. There is definitely a big catch here. This Iris must have been in trouble that's why would have married that psychopathic maniac. Because there is no way she would marry a monster who killed Barry's mother.

She was again lost in thoughts when she found Barry kissing and nibbling on her neck.
She resists a moan. Technically it's not cheating. Whatever this is, it's not even a real world right. This is some weird twisted illusion just like the last one, the one in which she lost her memories.
But still she felt awful thinking about her own Barry, who apparently sacrificed something big to save her(as he said), who came to take her and then vanished suddenly because the universe was once again being unfair to them. How would he feel finding out that she slept with another doppelganger of his. No, it's too much for her.

“Barry, we …I can't..”

“Sweetie, what happened?” Barry’s sly expressions quickly turned to concerned ones seeing her upset and wet eyes. He sweetly pushed her hair out of her face touched it. “Iris, what's…are you okay?” his voice was so different.

She nodded. “I'm fine.”

“No ..no you are not. Did I say something wrong? I'm so sorry. Ok you know what? We will do as you say, alright? Just tell me what you want me to do to make it right.”

Iris smiled at his sincerity. His tough exterior totally contradicted with it.

“You are smiling..” he frowns

She wiped her eyes and shook her head. “Because you are so sweet.”

Barry smiled and adjusted her securely in his lap sideways, holding her waist . “It's because of you.”

She looks at him with her arms wrapped around his neck.

“I wasn't like this Iris. I was tough, emotionless idiot. a criminal a mafia. My gang and I used to take from the richer and give to the poorer ones. We have a reputation. People fear us. But I met a girl and I….I fell in love.”

“Your dad never liked me though.”
Barry sighed. “I can't believe..how much time has passed since then. I can't believe the way we have suffered. my arch nemesis stole you from me Iris..” his jaw clenched. “Thawne stole you from me. It's been six months. And every moment of my life goes into thinking how I am gonna punish him in the worst ways possible for what he has done.t”

Iris wanted to act like she knew all this, because this Iris already knew. But still it was hard not to get surprised hearing all this. She still couldn't get though, how did she end up marrying Thawne.

“But you don't worry about it. You are mine. You are always mine. And pretty soon we are gonna get our happy ending.” He leans forward whispering “I love you so much Iris.” and kisses her deeply, putting all his emotions into the kiss.

As he pulled away. She felt his breath on her face. She couldn't help kissing him again and felt nostalgic. She loves him so much.
“But why can't we run away now? In your boat?”
Barry thinks she is having a moment of lapse, when you forget everything at stake and just want to do what your heart wants. He smiled and got closer. His face touching hers “Its not so simple..you know it baby..you know it. But I promise buttercup, I will get you away soon…oh god, i love you so much.” his lips hovering on hers, kissing her breathing her in. “I will get you away. Hang tight, everything will be all right.”

Barry and Iris were taking an afternoon nap on his cabin. With her on his chest and him holding her securely.
“I never wanna let you go Iris. If it wasn't for Thawne, you would be my wife right now, spending your days and nights in my arms. We would be having breakfast together, watch tv. we would go on our honeymoon.”

“I don't know what anyone says Barry. But you are my husband for me. And I'm still in your arms.”

“But it's different. You are technically his wife in front of the world. “ He smiled sadly looking at her. “And you are cheating on him with your good …ole lover Barry Allen. And it's also true that we couldn't stay away from each other. But The nights you spend in my arms, the nights we sleep together, thats all I think about that you are not my wife, you are his.”

“Barry, no, I'm yours. Always have been and always will “

“I know sweetheart. Thawne married you by deception. And I couldn't stop him. But I won't give you up that easily. I promise.”
He pulled away slowly and reaches on the bedside drawer to pull something out.
“our wedding bands. I had Reverb made them for us. The day we were about to get married, I…you know how special they are for me.” he gets emotional.
Iris wanted to cry. She held her hand in front of him. “Let me wear it.”

Barry looked surprised. “All these months I was trying to get you to wear it. In your sleep, I secretly wanted to slip it on your finger. But you always refused to wear it saying that you would do that when we actually get married because we will get that chance very soon. You were so sure about it. You believed in us. So hearing you say that you want to wear it now is ..strange.”

Iris blinked without giving away. “Yeah…I..I thought that. But I want to wear it now Barry. I want to.”
Barry grinned “give me your hand.”

Iris gave her hand and Barry slipped the band on her finger gently. Iris took his hand in return and smiled seeing his hands filled with mafia rings. Barry took away all the rings and gave her his hand. Iris slipped the band on his finger. They both grinned and smiled happily. “its good to see you are not wearing that motherfucker’s ugly ring. last time I saw you, you were and I got upset. I know that bastard must have threatened you again. God I will kill him…”

“Barry forget about him. Just spend this time with me.”

“Of course baby.” He pushed her hair aside. “I would never trade these few moments I get to spend with you with anything.”

“West-Allen, West-Allen! Wake up!” Iris West shook her future self as she was taking a nap on the sand under the tree.
“Hmm what?

“You are not gonna believe this..”

“Iris whats wrong?” she mumbled rubbing her eyes.

“hahh…Be clear which Iris you asking this, we are three of us here now.”

West-Allen gasped as she took in the scene seeing another one of her past self there along with 2017 Iris.

“Oh god..”

“Yes, meet Iris..” West went to the newest addition to the “lost and found Iris Wests” group and held her shoulders sideways. “The 2014 Iris, or maybe 2015 Iris…I don't know.”

The youngest Iris looked just as surprised. “Where am I and what am I looking at?”

West-Allen stood up to her feet and taking West aside whispered angrily at her. “What are you doing? She doesn't know anything about time travel or about Barry’s powers. She can't know her future.”

West looked at her deadpanned “The future, the past everything is changed now. Do you really care that much.?”

West-Allen groaned. “Yeah fuck it.”

The youngest Iris spoke raising her hand and trying to get the other two women’s attention. “And I know about Barry's powers. I'm the first one he told. Although I didn't know that time travel was possible.”

“See..”

“And I'm looking at my doppelgangers…oh god.”

“We are not your doppelgangers. We are your future selves. ..God what is happening?”

West tried to dig in. “So tell me about it, your Barry told you about being the Flash so early.”

“Yeah, the day he woke up from his coma. He came to me first and when he realized that he was fast, he said I was the first one he wanted to tell so he did … I was shocked at first seeing my forever tardy boyfriend suddenly so fast, he was kinda vibrating and then we worked together researching everything about his powers and speedforce..”

“Wait wait wait…boyfriend? He is your boyfriend.”

“Yeah….” She raised her brows. “You guys already know this don't you if you are from my future.”

“So he confessed his love around the same time when he told you about his powers. So you weren't dating Eddie at that time.?” Iris West from 2017 asked again.

“No why would I be, when I was already seeing Barry?. I mean during the course of his coma Eddie tried to hit on me, but I always said no.”

Both her future versions were surprised to hear that.

“How long have you been together?”

“Actually ….he confessed to me that he had feelings for me after high school only. I reciprocated. And before the night he was to leave for college, we um…you know,..we…we got close..very close.” She eyes away. “My dad found out and he was very angry. He always liked Barry, always trusted him with me. So he was hurt. And to repent his mistake, Barry promised my dad that he would stay away from me. I didn't like it. Barry went away to college, i missed him. and when he came back, my dad gave him permission to date me. Since then we have been together. So it's like 6 years now.

She looked at her audience. The two women had soft expressions on their faces.
“I lost that all now, didn't I?”

“No..” West said.

“Yes .” West Allen said at the same time.
West opened her mouth to speak but West-Allen beat her to it.
“Our pasts have changed. Whatever you experienced in your life, we both bever did in our past. So this means the timeline is changed. Not only the timeline, we don't even know where we are. We are not in our universe. We are somewhere else. So yes we have lost our Barrys. We have lost our whole lives..” she said getting away being upset that she would never see her Barry or her daughter Nora again.

Iris West from 2017 stared as if her future self lost her mind. “But we can get it back,. How could you sound so hopeless and disappointing. This is not the first time we are in a situation like this. We can always change the future. We always fight and we always win. Thats what we do, trust me everything is gonna be fine WestAllen..”

“How? When we don't know where we are or what are we up against? How can we win, how everything is gonna be fine. And excuse me why do you keep calling me West-Allen?.”

“Because we have three of us here right now. So you are West-Allen, I am West and we are gonna call her Iris to avoid confusion.”

“How about we call each other Iris 1, 2, 3.?” The youngest one spoke.

“No.!” Both future ones said at the same time.

Iris shrugged. “I was joking, duh..”

“Now let's focus, we all need to think how are we gonna get out of here first.”

“I can alert my Barry with this alarm.” The youngest Iris said.” He can come flashing..”

“That's not gonna work here Iris. I told you we are not in the universe.”

“she is right.” West spoke. “But we have to do something. There is so much at stake here.”

“Only Barry can help us now. The original Barry.”

“What are you talking about? Our Barrys are the real Barrys for us. Which Barry should we call from the three? And how exactly?”

Iris West-Allen held her hands explaining to her past selves.
“No you are forgetting we are from different times. And those times are not the real actual times, they are not the Now. It's not the original. I'm pretty sure the original Barry is searching for his original Iris right now. Just like we are trying to get to our homes. We have to make contact with him.”

West and Iris both looked on. West spoke. “how are we gonna do that. We have already established we both are not feeling that spark that connects us to Barry.”

“we still have that spark of speedforce energy though. You may not know Iris, but you do.” she turned to Iris West from 2017. “ We can't connect to Barry, but we can to the speed force.”

“Do you really think, it's gonna work?. I have never met the so called mighty “the speed force”

“Yes but I have, multiple times. In fact Barry and I rebirthed it together. So it has a bond with me. I will try to make a contact with her.”

I'm so confused right now.
The youngest Iris thought.

“And you two are all gonna help me.” WestAllen said to her younger selves.

Iris didn't know when she fell asleep or for how long she was sleeping. But she woke up to the sounds of angry voices coming from outside.

She quickly got out from the cabin hearing Barry's voice.
Chester and Hartley stopped her

“Iris you cannot go outside. Thawne is here.”

“I have to be with Barry.”

“Please Barry is gonna kill us. We have to protect you.”

“Who is with Barry?”

“Goldface, Reverb and Stretchy man all are there right now.”

“I have to go.”

“Iris..no!”

Hartley blocked her way. “I can't let you.”

She tried to move past him and he pushed her body away holding her from her waist.

But Iris was no damsel. She threw Hartley back easily and ran before he could reach her again.

After she got away, Hartley looked at Chester mutely as he was no help.
“Really?”

Chester shrugged. “Have you seen her right hook? I couldn't risk that.”

Iris came outside and saw barry and thawne on the dock.

“You kidnapped my wife and brought her here you motherfucker. Is she cheating on me with you? How dare you Allen?”

“I don't have to kidnap Iris.“
Barry's voice was low but his face turned scary as he took dangerous steps toward his arch nemesis.
“And yes I brought her here, and yes she is sleeping with me. what are you gonna do about it? She prefers to spend her time in my arms than seeing you fucker at home. She hates you. She fucking hates your guts.! You are never gonna have her!”

“I came here to take my wife back!!. Do not test me.”

“Iris was never yours you shit face.!! You stole her from me. You stole my powers. Then you wore my face with the help of your magic and tricked her into marriying you!. It was deception.”

Thawne laughed menacingly. “yes…yes I did. I stole Barry Allen's girl…. I took Iris from your sorry little miserable life. oh yeah.. you couldn't handle your woman. Could you Allen? Couldn't save her.”
“Guess what Allen. First you couldn't save your mother, Now your girl. Don't you feel pathetic losing to me every single time.?”

“Shut up you bastard..I'm gonna kill you!!”

“call her Allen else I Am gonna destroy you!”

Iris sees them fighting with foul and pedestrian language. It was expected they both were goons related to mafias. Thawne was successful in making his reputation where he was legal in people’s eyes. Barry was still a scary enigma, who people feared the most even more than Thawne.

“For the last time Iris is not yours. You have no right on her.!”

“Oh but I do. I do have every right on her as her husband. And she is my legally wedded wife.” he smirked saying that.

“She is Not your property! You don't own her and pretty soon she is gonna divorce you.”

“I won't let that happen Allen. See i wanted her thats why she is with me. Same way that I wanted your mother dead and same way i wanted your powers. And the things I want, I end up achieving them, by hook or crook.”

“shut up!!” Barry punched Thawne hard on the face.

Eobard in response smacked Barry.

And then Barry jumped on thawne, hitting him with force. Both of them were fighting and cursing each other.
Blood seaped out of bothe their faces and bruises marred them. Them and their goons were going at it, punching and kicking the enemy side.

Iris closed her eyes when the fight got ugly.
A couple of seconds later, she opened her eyes again.

And saw Thawne and Barry facing each other menacingly and still trash talking each other. There was no scuffle. She realised, them physically fighting eachother was her imagination just now.

“Iris is never yours. I'm gonna kill you if you hurt her.”

“And I'm gonna kill you before that.”

“I will destroy you so badly Thawne, you will cry you were ever born.”

“I won't even have to do anything. I'm gonna take Iris far away Allen. You know I can do that. And That is gonna destroy you.”

Iris rolled her eyes standing on the side of dock.
Both of them are just talks and no action. Trash talking each other that’s all they know.
This illusion is weird.

Iris appeared there. “Stop it.”

“Iris..”

“I'm not gonna go with you Eobard. You married me by deception so I'm divorcing you ok…then you will leave Barry and me alone.”

Eobard smirked. “You can't do that Iris.”

“Why not? I don't wanna live with you. I love Barry not you. So just stop this madness and leave us alone.”

“You have to come with me, Iris. It's not your choice anymore. You will do as I say …..because of daddy dearest.”

Iris shockingly looked. “What do …what do you mean?’

“Oh come on, i have to tell you everytime what I will do to your dad if you don't pretend to be my wife.”

Iris looked at Barry who sympathised with her then looked at Thawne angrily.
“Where is my dad?” She asked.

“A magician never reveals his tricks. He is somewhere Iris, I won't tell you where..you just keep playing house with me, keep loving me...and i won't hurt him..come on now.”

“Pretty soon, I will find out where Joe is, and then you will be finished. You will no longer be in a position to blackmail her.!!” Barry tightened his jaw threatening Thawne.

“Bla bla…yes of course. As if that is gonna happen. You always lose Allen. And trying to establish illicit relations with my wife will never give you the real thing.”

Iris was exhausted. “Ok I will come with you” she said.
“Iris…” Barry held her hand.
“It's gonna be alright Barry, I will see you soon.”

“Damn right you will. He can't keep us away.” he touched her face. “I'm gonna come and take you away very very soon.”

Barry came close to her leaning in.

“If you kiss her in front of me Allen, you don't want to know what I will do to Joe.” Thawne warned.

Barry scoffed proudly. “Kiss her? What do you think was going on inside my cabin?”

Iris rolled her eyes.

Thawne angrily looked at him. “whatever Barry, she is still my wife...the token of my win and your loss.”

This below the belt third-grade trash talking was getting on her nerves. She really needed to find a way to search for her real Barry and get out of this weird timeline.

After Eobard left with Iris. Reverb came to Barry with his hands in pocket.
“Why did you let her go this time, boss? Tell me, I can get her back again..” he says in all seriousness eager to act upon whatever order Barry gives him.

“We can't do that. It's about Joe’s life.”

“Forget the old man boss.” Goldface spat. “Oldie never even liked you. We can kidnap her again and take her far away and Thawne would keep on searching for her forever!”

“It's Iris’s father, don't you guys get it!.? If you really wanna do something Keith, find out where Joe is, it's been six months. What are you really doing in your spare time, getting cozy with Amunet?! He scolded him.

Goldface looked down and Birch and Hartley snickered seeing him insulted.

“And you both…” Barry says to Hartley and Chester
“tell me How the hell did he find out our location exactly?”

“And you two,..” he turns to stretchy man and Birch.
“Is that how you secure us? Is that how you will provide protection to Iris.?? Is it?”

“Zoom is fast…very fast Barry. We need Wally.”

“Wally is still recuperating.. he always brings his emotions in when it's about his sister. I'm not gonna put him on line. He is my responsibility. Where the hell is Jesse?”

“Jesse is on Wally’s bedside, boss.” Reverb answered.

“I.Need.to.Know.where.Joe.is!! So pull all your resources together and find him!! Al right?

“Aye aye Boss!” They say collectively.

Barry looked at them incredulously. “It's ‘aye aye.. captain.”

“Oh..yeah..i.”

“Ye that's what i told them..”

“you didn't…”

“Aye aye captai-”

“Oh forget it..” Barry scoffed when they tried to again collectively say it.

“Why am I here!!, what am I doing here ? Where did Iris go?”
Barry walked to the speed force angrily asking.

“You are back in the speed force.”

“Why? I finally found her. I found Iris. But I lost her again. You said it's gonna work. You siad if I make that sacrifice, I will get Iris back, then why? Why did I lose her again?” he cried.

“we are up against something very bad Barry.”

“It's Thawne isn't it? How am I gonna get her back now? For so many days I put my consciousness there in that reality. Appearing in Jitters in front of her. Calling out to her, calling her consciousness. She looked like that she was recognising me, she felt our connection. But she was always swayed by those people there. I finally reached her after sacrificing something so big, it finally worked, but I lost her all over again…”

Speed force didn't feel any emotions. But it felt Barry's pain right now. “Don't lose hope Barry. Don't be disappointed. You are gonna find her. You both are connected. It's inevitable that you both wouldn't stay away from each other. Sooner than later you will find each other. Like two poles of magnet, you will bond together.
I know it's not Thanwe per se. It's negative speed force all together. They want to create a disbalance that's why it's playing with Iris’ mind to weaken your connection with her and ultimately your connection with me. Because if Iris doesn't exist we both won't. “ A thought came to speed force and it gasped unnaturally. “Or maybe they…I hope what I'm thinking is not right …”

“What…what are you thinking? What does negative speed force want?”

“Maybe it…it wants your Iris, Barry.”

Barry looked uneasy.

“Negative speed force knows what Iris means to you. And they will use every power in their book to take her away. Whether it's Eobard or its Eddie and any other avatar. They know what Iris means to our connection, to us.”

Speed force touched it's face as it felt something weird in the atmosphere.
“Something is wrong. Someone….someone is calling me.”

“Who is it?” Barry gets hopeful. “Is it…is it Iris?”

“They are …they are trying to establish a connection…yes..yes it's..” speed force closed its eyes. “It's Iris Barry…but it's not your Iris…it's from different timeline…it's ..I'm…I'm feeling multiple connections..i have to talk of them…they are Irises from different times…stay put…I'm gonna talk to them.”

Barry was surprised as he looked at speed force closing its eyes and making a connection with multiple Irises.
What is happening? How did multiple Irises came to be. Something is very wrong. But he is gonna make everything right whatever it takes. He will get his Iris back, he will get their lives back. And he will defeat the negative speed force once and for all.

A couple of seconds later, speed force opens its eyes and looked at Barry.
“I know their plan. They are erasing all the Iris Wests from the multiverse, putting them in a different realm”

“What?”

“Yes Barry. Because they don't want her to be with you. Because then it would be impossible for you to meet her. You both not only belong together in every lifetime, but in every earth, in every universe. So if Iris wont even be the part of universe, you and her won't happen. You would be alone without her, powerless without her. They are taking Iris West away from Barry Allen. And the actual Iris, your Iris…..she is the vessel. The anchor for them. She is the one they need..”

“No…!” Barry dreadfully said.

“We have to save her before it's too late. We can't lose her Barry.”

“I won't let that happen!.”

“First we have to put a stop to the erasure of Irises from multiverse. Gather your team. Till then I will work on connecting to all the Irises of universe so that negative speed force can't get to them.”

“Make them connect to me.”

“No!. You work on finding your Iris. She is the one in trouble right now. She needs you otherwise she would keep on fluctuating and bouncing between different realities. Throw your everything into this rigorous devotion. If you love Iris, throw your worship and reverence towards her into it. You have to find her. Remember the sacrifice you made, its a big one. Try to think about her and go save her.”

Barry with full determination nodded and said. “I will. I love her. And my love is not weak. I have faith on my love. It's my strength. I Am gonna save her.”

Iris was alone in her room at home. At the loft. The same loft she and Barry had. Here it belonged to fucking Thawne.
She shuddered thinking about sharing a bed with him. A bedroom with him. She also noticed for the first time the purplish skin on her humerus.
Cecile came there. “Hey..”

Iris didnt reciprocate.

Cecile’s expression changed. She slyly looked at her. “I know what you wondering.?”

“What?” Iris rolled her eyes asking angrily.

“That what went on in this room that night..you know if Eobard and you.. …." She titled her face knowingly. "but i know”
Iris looked at her making a face.
“Oh…see I'm a telepath…and kinda nosey too…sorry.” She looked sheepish. “ So I happened to hear that night. Trust me i wasn't sneaking. Or maybe i was ...a little. but yeah, no, you didn't let Eobard touch you. I mean he wore Barry Allen's face. He could've very easily…you know…which would be like taking advantage of you. But the thing is his magic kinda failed. And Barry Allen's face started falling off from his own. You found out the truth and well … you were angry and hysteric and bla bla...and everything changed. I guess he couldn't break your connection with Allen. He couldn't make you his own after all his efforts and magic. Even after all those bruises..” She looked confused. “The thing that i don't get is how did you forget all this so easily? I mean you are wondering as if you don't know....”

Iris closed her eyes and shook her head disgustingly. “You are sick Cecile. And stop invading my thoughts.”

“Oh please. I don't do that often. I have other important stuff to do. Besides Eobard gets mad about it, me using my powers on him... or you and I get in trouble. I don't know how he finds out everytime..” she scratches her head confusingly.
“But you know what Iris, you could do a lot worse than Thawne. So forget that good for nothing Barry.”

“I can't believe it. You are defending Thawne of all people. You were a DA for God sake why are you with him?”

“Pfft…the whole police department is in his pockets..”

“But you were a lawyer. You have some responsibility. How could you support and help a person like Thawne?”
Cecile laughed.
“Wow that's rich coming from you. I mean you are one to talk when your own lover is a mafia? Barry Allen himself is a criminal isn't he?

“He maybe a criminal but he has morals. he doesn't marry someone else’s fiancee by deception, he is not a wife beater. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't get people killed. I would spend my entire life with a mafia like Barry Allen than to be with a monster like Thawne.” She turned away then stopped before saying.

“And yeah don't you dare invade my thoughts again Hortan. I will end you!.”

All three Irises were looking at each other as they saw speed force appeared in the hologram in front of them.

“Oh god, that's sick. Its Barry's mom..” Iris gasped.

“I think it's the speed force..”West said. “But I have never seen it like it before. Like a hologram?”

WestAllen was the only one who dreaded thinking how much things are bad when the speed force appeared in the form of hologram in front of them. 'Did Thawne change the timeline again..or was her timesickness back?'

Whatever it was, it was far worse than she imagined.

To be continued..

Chapter Text

All three Irises kept looking at the hologram when suddenly the youngest Iris said.
“I don't really know you but please help us reach Barry.”

West spoke. “What she means is we need your and Barry's help getting back to our respective timelines. I have never interacted with you but Barry and Wally told me about the speed force prison, we arent there are we?.”

Speedforce as hologram eyed the oldest Iris holding her silent gaze.
“Thats why I have come here.”

“What's really going on?” West-Allen asked her
frowning.

“Something really bad. There is a negative entity which doesn't want you and Barry together. That’s why they are sending all the Irises here to eliminate them permanently.”

“Oh my god!.”

“But I'm doing everything in my power to fight it.”

“Wait! Why can't you take us to our timelines and save us?” youngest Iris asked.

WestAllen spoke. “Because speed force is not physically here Iris, it's just the hologram.”

“she is right. It's such a place outside of universe that I can't enter. Something is stopping me from breaking the barrier. So until I find a solution, you have to wait for me to rescue you. I just need a powerful force to enter this dimension and rest will be very easy. Also I have already put a stop to the migration of any more Iris to this reality.”

“How did you do that?”Westallen asked. Both younger Irises let West-Allen ask the question, since she knew more than them about speedforce anyway.

“giving them speedster powers. To all of them temporarily. So that they could fight back. That will bide us some time. I don't know if negative speedforce is tricked or not. But for the time being that's all I could do. Don't worry i'm gonna save you. But there is another Barry and Iris who are lost who needs our help right now. So you all have to help me saving both of them.”

All three Irises exchanged glances and say. “We will.”

Iris was frustrated. She tried to siphon off her spark, her connection with her real Barry. To find him, to find something so that she could go back to her own timeline but it didn't work. Maybe this illusionary world's Iris didn't have any spark in her and since she herself replaced her, she didn't have it too.
Her timeline is in trouble, her Barry is in trouble and she can't do anything. What was happening in that world? Last she remembered she was sleeping in her bedroom with her husband and then everything changed.. and that's why she has avoided sleeping in this timeline so far. If she did, she would definitely wake up in some other reality and it would be even more difficult for her to get back to her own. God only knows what Barry is going through right now. He must be trying so hard to get to her.
She was on the monitor right now trying to find metahumans in this world whose powers would be useful to her. Any speedster who knows about time travel. She tried to locate Jay or Max or anyone of her friends. If she has even a little bit of spark, how much energy would be required to open a breech. She knows it's next to impossible because she is not a speedster herself, but if she could just find Jay or professor Stein -

Eobard entered the speed lab and smiled at her.
“How’re you doing my love?”

Iris ignored him busy in her search.

He eyed her. “What exactly are you doing?”

Iris found Jay’s location. He was living somewhere central city a few miles away from star labs. “Im…I'm trying to find my dad.” She lied
“where did you take him after kidnapping him?”

Eobard chuckled. “Come on..,did Barry Allen hit your head or something that you don't even remember.”

At her silence, he explains. “Your father was my friend Iris. “ He turned to her “It was how I saw you first. So..I would never ..think of kidnapping him..” he says dramatically.

He walked over to her and lowered his voice. “You are forgetting everything sweetheart. What is it? the side effect of that fucker humping you for so long...”
He drags his finger on her cheek. “and here ..you don't even let me touch you.”

Iris moves his hand away slowly, staring at him.“Touch me? Then what do you call this?” She pulls her sleeves up. “How did these bruises end up on my skin?”

He smirkes. “So you do remember stuff?”

Iris had other important things on her mind right now, which were far too serious and dangerous than what's going on here. So she ignored him deleting all her research and took a step ahead to leave but he stopped her

“if you are going to Allen- ”

“I'm not going to Barry. I have other things too. But I need some space so please do not follow me.”

“Just stay in the lab, that's all I ask doll.”

“Barry! Barry! Barry!”

Hartley was looking pale as he came running to him.

Barry frowned. “What did you call me?”

Reverb chastised. “Hey. address him properly.”

He swallowed. “I mean , boss.”

“Spit it out.” Barry let out disinterested.

“there is something you should know. We saw something really crazy.”

“We?” Barry and reverb spoke at the same time.

“Wally and I.”

Barry stood up. “Wait, Wally?”

“Yes, we saw your twin. Wally is there right now.”

“His twin? He is a single child.”

“Wait a minute. Where did you see him?”

“on jitterbugs rooftop. he was waiting for someone there.”

“Boss, it must be Thawne. He is manipulating us again using his powers . And this time his target is Wally.”

When Barry and team got there. They saw his doppelganger in a red suit. It was like Wally's costume without a cowl.

Wally was staring at him. “So you say that you are Barry Allen from another timeline. How is that even possible?”

Barry from this reality stared at his doppelganger. The original Barry pleaded with them. “Please you all have to help me. Iris, the Iris who is here, is the one from my timeline. She is in trouble. I have to find he-”

This Barry steps forward in anger and takes a swing at his doppelganger. “You fucking Thawne. I know it's you. You are never gonna have Iris.!!..hear that.”

Wally and reverb rushed to pull their Barry away, stopping him going after his doppelganger.

Original Barry holds his bloodied nose. “What the hell are you doing, I'm not Thawne. I'm your doppelganger. You have to believe me please.”

“You are lying!! You have done this before.!”

“I swear on my parents. I swear on my wife. That I'm telling the truth. I'm not him.”

After an hour of talking, with original Barry telling them everything about his world, all three of them seemed to somewhat believe him.

Reverb was the first to speak. “So you mean this reality is not even real. And that the Iris here is yours.”

Barry nodded. "Yeah this world is made of negative tachyons for you to believe it.

“And my actual sister where… where is she?”

“I don't know Wally, i just know the negative speedforce is eliminating all the Irises. Maybe your sister,” he eyes mafia Barry “and your Iris is one of them.”

Mafia Barry shouted. “No!..no it's not possible. She was with me yesterday. If she was yours she would’ve told me.”

“Thats because my wife knows better than to disrupt the timeline, stepping on any wrong stone before knowing anything. That's why she might’ve not told you. Please Barry you have to understand what we are dealing with right now. Wally, you are a speedster here, I need your help. With your and my speed combined, I can take her back with me.”

Mafia Barry stared at him with tearful eyes.
“you will not take her away. I won't let you! You are saying that she isn't mine. You are saying that this isn't even real. Just like that? How? And my Iris ….she is…she is gone…”

Reverb and Wally exchanged glances seeing their boss cry for the first time.

Barry signs sadly. “I don't know what to tell you man. I'm so sorry. But this is the truth.”
“i can understand how you are feeling right now. Losing her, losing your life. It's devastating. But please tell me where she is, and I promise you that in some way you will get her back. ”

Mafia Barry closed his eyes for a second and looked at both Wally and reverb before nodding, finally coming to terms with the truth even though his heart was breaking because he had to part with Iris. He turned to his doppelganger. “She is Eobard’s wife here.”

“Iris would never marry him.”

“She didn't. She was supposed to marry me that day. Thanwe took away my powers and tricked her into marrying him, wearing my face.”

“I'm so sorry.”

“Wally take him to Iris.”

“Thank you.”

“Just…just last time..I would like to meet her. Can I?”

Barry sighs. “I'm running out of time. You can come with both of us. And you can meet her for a minute or two. But I have to get her back as soon as I get there.”

Barry got to know that in this reality, Barry Allen was the most powerful magician. And thawne was his enemy. He killed Barry's mother a few years back and Barry wanted to take revenge. Thawne also stole his magical powers and married Barry’s fiancee Iris by deception. He also kidnapped Joe West and ever since then he was blackmailing her into staying with him.

Barry understood why this world was designed this way by negative tachyons. To break Iris some more so that her moral goes down. And in turn to taunt him with introducing a factor like Thawne being connected to Iris in this way.
What it didn't know was that neither Iris's courage nor their love were weak like that.

They got to start labs.
He sped his doppelganger to the time vault.
“What is this room? I dont think even Thawne knows about this room here.”

“I hope he doesn't. This lab is mine in my world. And this room is called time vault”

Mafia Barry nodded. “But if it's a secret place, how would we find Iris here…” He says and stopped before nodding
“Ah..she is your Iris, she must know about it.”

“Yeah..listen i'm gonna go get her. Ok”

“Be careful, Thawne must be out there. He will use his p…i mean my powers on you.”

“I don't think his magic will work on me.”

Barry left and mafia Barry and Wally looked around seeing the room. And then he touched the small pillar in the center. A screen came to life and he gasped, seeing Barry and Iris’s wedding picture on screen. A second later another picture appeared of the couple.

Wally sympathetically held his shoulder.
“It's gonna be alright boss.”

“It's ok Wally, I'm fine knowing that in some reality, Barry and Iris are together. We have to help them.”

Wally nodded.

Iris reached the roof of star labs.

She just needed to get to the ground and then find Jay. She thought about the events that happened with her, trying to find a connection or some clue of what exactly was happening.
She first woke up as one Barry’s wife, suffering from amnesia then suddenly she appeared here. There was absolutely no connection between the two worlds. The only difference is this time she knew who she was exactly. Was it Thawne or some other force who is doing this. As far as she knew her Timesickness was cured, right.
She was wrecking her brain finding a way to descend the building, when suddenly her eyes caught a wormhole like force of energy right in the middle of the roof approaching her. No..no.!

Not another timeline, not another illusion. This is definitely not good. She is bouncing between different realities and getting far away from her own timeline. It would throw her in another unknown reality. It would be even tougher for Barry to locate her and for her to get out of there. She has to put a stop to this. It was quickly approaching her.

She tried to run away from it. There was no way out. She was stuck on this roof.

In her haste she couldn't think of anything, just getting away from it when she decided to jump no matter what happened.

Eyes closed, she threw herself off the building.

she kept falling just falling for a few seconds. She couldn't feel it

And then the next second, she felt someone's arms enveloping her, carrying her away from the scene. She felt the familiar feeling of being carried by someone she knew so well.

Iris gasped and slowly opened her eyes when her feet touched the ground and her rescuer still holding her securely to his chest.

Her heart was beating so rapidly as she pulled away and saw him.

“we are getting better at this. How could I forget your habit of jumping off the buildings.”

Her eyes glistened with tears. “Barry!”

She jumped into his arms and cried.

“I knew…i knew you would be trying to get to me.”

He gently wiped her tears. “Always….Always.”
“.Just like I knew that it's not like you, sitting here doing nothing. I knew you would be trying to reach out to me too. ”

“I couldn't do much. I’m so tired, I want to go home.”

“Iris, I promise, we will. For real this time.” he held her face.

She nodded. “What happened when you disappeared before?”

“It's the negative speed force. They are trying to separate us. When Eobard or Eddie couldn't finish the job, it took matters into its own hands. They are slowly eliminating all the Irises from this universe. Because there wouldn't be any Barry without Iris. And that makes its job easier to defeat me. But I won't let that happen.”

“You mean negative speed force wants to…kill me?”

“No. They want you for themselves. They want you for any of their avatars, to strengthen them.”

“Barry you said that you sacrificed something big to reach me. What was it?”

“You don't want to know. Come on, we don't have time.”

Barry sped her to the time vault where this timeline’s Barry and Wally were already present.

Iris looked at both of them.

“Sis..”

She smiled seeing him and she noticed the awkward stance of mafia Barry too(the one who she made out with in this timeline)

“I have told them the truth. Wally is a speedster, his powers are gonna help us getting back to our world.”

“Wally is a speedster here? and here i was trying to find Jay or professor Stein so that they could help me.”

“were you able to really find Jay?”

“Yes he is in central city.”

“Iris that's great. His powers with mine and Wally’s combined, it will become easier.”

“But we don't know if he is a speedster here Barry.”

“It's worth a try. I'm gonna go get him.”

“He is five miles away on Radisson street.”

“On it.”

Barry sped away and she walked over to other mafia Barry who shifted seeing her approach him.

“Thank you for helping us. Both of you.” she expressed.

He nodded.

Iris slowly touched his hand. “I hope you know Barry that whatever i expressed to you, my feelings, everything was real. Every Iris West truly loves Barry Allen. It was not a betrayal but I'm sorry I withheld the truth from you.”

He smiles softly. “I understand Iris.” He looked down. “Can I, can I hug you one last time, please?”

“Of course you can.” She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him
Mafia Barry gently hugged her and kissed her head.
“I love you Iris. I will always love you.”

“I love you too.”

Soon Barry was there with Jay, who found himself to an unknown place, shocked by the sudden movement. He questioned Barry seeing the situation.
“You..you..are a speedster…like myself? Who are you?” Then he turned to Wally.
“And you….you are that kid the one running around the city, the yellow speedster right?”

Iris winced. It was going to be difficult to explain everything to him, and they had no time.

“Jay, do you have speed? I mean.. are you a speedster too?” Barry questioned

“Yes.”

“Then you have to run with us and help us get back to our own timeline.”

“What? really? and how do you know me?"

Barry didn't even bother explaining anything to him, since everything here will already be over as soon as him and Iris got back to their world.
“Will you or will you not?”

“Ye..yes.”

“Wally get ready.”

Barry carried Iris and sped away with both the other speedsters following behind.

Speed force instructed all three Irises.
“Hold each other's hands and try to siphon off your sparks.’

“How? We are not part of the universe. We don't have it here.”

“I have a solution for that. You just hold each other's hands and I will provide a mock environment for you, from the speed force, where you will be able to feel the energy in your bodies and can easily feel your spark.”

Speed force enveloped them in a mock cocoon having speed force lightning. She was not physically there but she could transform that energy there.

All three Irises felt some movement in their bodies and felt the sparks. Speedforce Nora transformed all their energies combined and sent it to Barry.

“Now I have to ask you all to sacrifice the most important thing in your lives besides Barry. I know it's going to be very difficult for you, especially you Iris.” Speedforce looked at the oldest Iris from 2026.

“But it's for the original Barry and Iris, the one who are lost right now. The one who are fighting for their lives. They are in trouble and they are losing something big. But eventually they are the ones who will get to live. Because they are the Now. Not you all. it's the truth.

So if you want them to get that chance to live their lives peacefully, to have them their happily ever after, then …..you have to make the sacrifice.”

Iris West-Allen spoke,with tears in her eyes. “I will do it. What is the sacrifice?”

Iris West was next. “You are not alone. I will make that sacrifice too. I can do anything for any Barry and Iris. They have suffered so much already, they deserve this life more than me.”

“Me too.” Youngest Iris spoke next. “What these both and what Barry and Iris have gone through, i cant evn compare to any of it. My Barry and I, we are just starting our lives, you people have already lived it and are living it. Those two deserve it more than me.”
“Now what's the sacrifice?”

Speedforce looked relieved seeing all of them. She knew they would agree.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Barry kept running holding his wife in his arms. The portal already been left far behind, the timeline already been left but he didn't stop. He kept running.
His legs were giving up, his eyes were squinting, his whole body was burning. He was panting badly. He had never run that fast before. Pushing through his limits Barry’s only thought was to get them away , far away from danger. Far away from these realities that were the reason for their destruction. He won't let negative speedster ruin his life.

Suddenly a some white cloud if light appeared in front of him and and everything went black as he fell unconscious.

Iris found herself in the midst of something entirely strange. She was surrounded by a white space. A complete white place with nothing there. Everything was a void. She called out to her husband.

“Barry..?”

Iris looked around herself trying to find something. Suddenly her eyes fell on an opening. An inch size narrow opening. It was like a tile in the white imaginary wall was broken. Iris slowly started moving toward it on the supposed white ground.
She pressed her ears against it and heard some whispering.

She put her left eye on the opening where the tile was half broken and looked inside.

“So, I saw how you were looking at Savitar, and how he was looking at you.” Barry says, swaying her gently.

“Really?”

“Hmm…he still had feelings for you it seemed..”

“Barry Allen, were you jealous of your own corrupted version of time remnant. ”

“no…I’m ..I'm not” he shrugs. “I mean..…I…i kind of understand. He didn't have you, that's why he became so corrupted. But we finally defeated him.”

“thats right. So, you don't have to worry about anything. I mean I felt terrible for him, for what happened to him," she says sadly. “because even though he wasn't you, he was a version of Barry Allen. But he was so far into the darkness that he couldn't be saved. And I only have eyes for my fiancé…ok. No Savitar could separate us.”

He grinned “Thanks for saving me Iris. And now, are you ready Ms West, soon to be Mrs Allen?.”

“West-Allen.” She corrects him

“Sorry. West-Allen.”

Iris hears a weird clank sound of something falling and her smile dropped as she looked at the wall over Barry's shoulder.

Barry frowned following her gaze. “What?”

“I thought…I heard something, I felt that someone was here..”

“On that wall?” Barry questioned dramatically. “Oh, maybe someone is trying to be a ‘fly on the wall’, to creepily look into our romantic moments”

“Barry..” Iris rolled her eyes

Iris covered her mouth and winced hearing the loud sound of the broken tile on the floor. She tried not the make any further sound.

She started walking to the wall and looked at it, feeling something. She picked up the book that was fallen on the floor having some gravel around it. She put the book back on the table.

“Iris come on, no one is here. We are fine. Savitar has been defeated. It must be the neighbours.” but she still felt some uneasiness.

“yeah. Yeah must be. Oh, I forgot my purse..” she sighed

“I'll bring it..” he was ready to run.

“No..babe. you are gonna disarrange everything in my cupboard with your speed, just like Last time.” Barry looked sheepish. “Stay here, I’ll be back.”

Iris climbed the stairs as Barry shouted. “Hurry! We are gonna be late for our reservation.”

Iris moved the tiles above her and started removing them to reach inside that world. She watched Iris searching for her purse, there. She removed some more tiles quickly.

Iris picked up her bag and turned around to go downstairs but stopped all of sudden when she felt like she saw her reflection.

“You…you..I.. Iris?”

Iris was terrified as she faced her counterpart.

”Iris, baby hurry!”

Both of them turn toward the voice.
“Please don't …don't tell anyone about this., not even him... please.”

Iris shockingly looked at her “but,...how ..?”

“Please…....uh you know time travel,it has consequences. Never try to do it. .look I just want..”

Iris couldn't even complete her sentence before she was pulled back by someone.

“Iris??..Iris are you okay?” Barry was panting.

“Barry!...Barry …” she was breathing heavily. “Where were you? I…I saw something. I was in that world..there see-” she looked at the space where she was just now. There were no open spaces, no tiles broken or removed which was giving entry into another world. Everything was white and blank as before. “Barry…I.. ”

“Its ok....” he nodded..”its ok …we need to move, we can't stay here.”

“i swear I saw them. The Barry and Iris. Where are we Barry...?.”

“I don't know…maybe it's a ..a window into ‘time’..I have no idea..”

Just then they found themselves interrupted by someone crying.

“What's that?”

Barry held her hand securely and swallowed, they both walked in the direction from where the sound was coming, fearing what scene they will see next.

Iris and Barry stared at the small creak of opening on the floor. They both lowered to the ground and looked inside the small opening.

A girl about 5-6 years old, was crying. Joe West wiped her tears gently.

“Babygirl, don't cry..it's only a day, ok. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

“You gonwa…leave me... like momma & dadda? Everyone in school say that my mama and dadda left me-.”

Joe West got sad hearing that. He eyed the other man standing there, who looked equally shocked and sad hearing her. The poor child had to hear such things.
“No…no baby who told you that? Grandpa will never leave you, ok..he will always be there for you. I promise.come here.” Joe hugged the little girl, trying his best to take her pain away. But it was the toughest thing to make a child without parents understand that. She has already lost her parents at such a young age. Joe didn't know what would happen when he also would leave her, because life doesn't guarantee you the forever. It can end at any time. and who will know it better than him.
How much more this little girl will have to suffer, he doesn't know. All he knows is he is never gonna leave her until he is alive. And that's what he promised her.

“Will you come to take me back grandpa?”

“Of course I will sweetheart, I will be back tomorrow evening, till then you play with Izzy ok.” the kid nodded and wiped her eyes.

He looked at the other man. “I'm so sorry Cisco. there was no one else I could take her to. Chester and Allegra were not there and I had to be at Jenna’s school early in the morning tomorrow for the parent teacher meeting. It was urgent.”

Cisco looked at Joe and lowered his voice speaking solemnly. “Joe, you don't have to worry. Nora is Barry and Iris' daughter. She is our own. We will ..we will take care of her.” he knew how hard it was on Joe. And how much he was doing raising his granddaughter alone. The poor old man didn't even catch a break after Nora’s parents left this world.

“Thank god you guys shifted to Central..Thanks to Ramon industries. I don't know what I would have done without you.”

Kamilla spoke up caressing Nora’s head. “We know how hard its been for you since Cecile …passed away.” She says sympathetically. “All you have to do is ask us Joe. We are always there for you. Whenever you need anything, we are here. And little Nora is like Barry and Iris' present to us. So you never have to think twice before leaving her here. we are gonna take care of her just like her parents would have.”

“Thankyou..both of you. It's just she hasnt lived without me like ever…she may behave cranky and moody, don't mind it please. She has phases, you know…it's hasn't been easy for her too. Nora don't trouble Cisco and Kamilla.. ok?”

Cisco asked quietly. “She misses them?”

“Sometimes..”

“What about you?”

“I miss all three of them. But I have two girls to raise Cisco. Jenna has grown up but Nora ..she needs constant attention. She is fragile. Sometimes she doesn't even tell me when she is feeling low because it would upset me.” He smiles sadly. “just like her mother. And the way she hugs me, reminds me of Barry.”

Cisco sighed sympathetically. “Joe, if you ever need to talk to someone, I'm here..”

“I know son..i know.”

Joe left and Cisco crouched to her level and spoke to her sweetly.
“Nora, we are your parents’ best friends, do you know that?”

She asked quietly. “Really?”

“Yes really. Aunt Kamilla was your mother’s best friend. And I was your father's.”

Kamilla spoke next. “So , that makes us your friends too”

“and you never have to feel scared in your friends’ house ok.”

“Ok..”

Just then little Izzy came out of her room crying.

“Daddy ..daddy..my..my toy broke..my Vibe.”

Cisco quickly shifted his attention to his daughter. “Aww..that's so sad. Don't worry pumpkin pie, we will buy a new one for you. But see we have your friend here...”

“But I want this one…make it ok.peazze..”

Cisco scooped Izzy in his arms. “New one will be better, baby…a perfect one for my princess.”

Nora was watching them with sad eyes. She clutched the straps of her bag on her shoulders tightly. She looked down at her shoes and suddenly started missing her grandpa so much.
I will be back tomorrow evening.
And she just held onto that.

Barry and Iris’ eyes were wet as they witnessed the future.

Iris sniffled. “Is this gonna be our future? Is this gonna be our little girl's future ?”

“Iris….no. this is not our future. You are not even pregnant yet. This is some other Barry and Iris’s future, who already had Nora and then left. “ He cupped her face gently. “Listen to me, this is not going to be our future, ok. I promise you. We will get out of here.” he didn't know how because he was speed paralyzed and they were stuck.
But the worst part was that…they wouldn't even have that future which Iris was thinking they would, because of that sacrifice he made earlier to reach her.

She nodded and put her head on his chest.

A minute or two passed in silence with both of them thinking about the world that they witnessed.

It seemed like their daughter had lost her childhood in that future.
Iris sighed. And her poor old father was bearing the burden of all at this age.

She spoke quietly. “She looked so sad Barry. Have you ever seen a child of her age so unhappy and depressed…”
Barry gulped, fighting back his tears. “She was…strong Iris. My sweet Nora…was strong.” it was becoming difficult for him to hide from her anymore. He needed to tell her the truth.

He took a breath and convinced her. “But you don't worry, I promise you, when we will have …kids, we'll ....never leave them. They are not going to suffer that way." He lied without any emotion. "I promise you Iris, I Am never gonna leave you...”

“Or the baby.”

“Yeah…or the..or the baby.” he hesitated.

Iris replied “As long as we are together, it's enough for me. i just need you.”

He nodded and brushed her lips affirming that.
“I love you Iris.”

“I love you.”

“You ready to sacrifice that?” speed force asked them all.

“If it's the only way.” Younger Iris shrugged.

“What about you two?”

The oldest Iris West Allen lowered on the ground and cried. Iris West crouched next to her and consoled her.
“It's ok..it's gonna be ok..”

“It's my family…my…”

Iris West felt her eyes moisten seeing her future version falling apart. “We all gonna be dead anyway Iris, it's all over..”

“My..my baby. My Nora..”

Iris West felt good and bad at the same time. Barry and Iris gonna name their daughter Nora. But she won't be that Iris , in fact no Iris from all three of them would be alive anymore to birth her. The irony.

“Nora is gonna be so proud of her mom. Iris”

“She won't even-”

“I know. But I'm talking about any Nora. even if she never knows what sacrifice a version of mother made, she’d still be proud of you. You are saving the humanity, saving her parents.”

Iris West remembered how the real Iris looked terrified when she visited her before Barry and her were going on a date. The way she warned her to never time travel. The way she wanted to say something else too.
Yes, this was the right thing to do. They have to make this sacrifice so that the real ones could live.

The youngest Iris was standing on a side silently observing them. She knew it’d be all over for them, in fact its already over, they are not going back to their respective worlds..but right now she was thanking God that she was not in Iris West Allen’s place. Because this was so tough.

Speed force asked them again. “Are you all ready?”

“Ok brace yourselves..I'm..I'm finishing up Nora West Allen's existence from your wombs.

They were still on the floor sprawled against the illusionary wall. Barry combed her hair with his fingers and spoke quietly.
“Iris?”

“Hmm ..”

“You asked me what I had to sacrifice to reach you right?”

“Yeah..you never told me.”

He closed his eyes. “Before I tell you, you have to know that you are everything to me, and I can't live without you. My love for you solidified that decision for me.”

She pulls away. “Barry, you're scaring me.”

He shook his head.

“I…I sacrificed our kids Iris. I had to let go of Bart and Nora's existence in this world forever, to get you.”

“Wh…what?” her voice cracked.

“You were out of this universe. I could only reach you in my subconscious because I couldn't move past the barrier otherwise. You had amnesia there and you were not acknowledging our connection. So to ..to physically be there with you, we needed an anchor to reach you, more tethering to you. Our connection was …was fragile. So to strengthen it I did what I deemed right…”

“No…” she let out quietly.

“...and thats when.. Speed force severed my connection to Bart and Nora forever.”

“Barry…”

Barry gave her a nod. “it broke both of our connections to them. Like we never birthed them. It worked
It gave me their speed, their love for you. And their powers. That's how I was able to breach into this world. I'm just connected to You now,” he shook his head. “not them, they don't even exist in our future as we speak….I'm …we are infertile….”

Iris was speechless. Her face was frozen.
“we are…we're never gonna…” she whispered.

His head dropped and he nodded. “I'm so sorry. We are never gonna have kids. But I had no choice I-”

“Barry, why did you..” she cried. “Why did you do this …?”

“I told you Iris..you are the only one I need. And I would do anything for you..!” He says firmly. She needed to understand that without her there’s nothing. No kids, no life.
“if the same conflict arises again, I’d again make the same choice.”

She held his face. “Barry..why did you do this to yourself? Why?? You changed your core ..why did you? Just to save me?”

“Please stop! your life worths way more than you think it is!”

“Barry, our kids…they are gone.. everything is gone.”

Barry kept quiet for a few seconds before speaking
“Iris….if I hadn't saved you, and if they had gotten to know about it. I would’ve lost them anyway. “ His voice broke. “Nora and Bart, they would have wanted me to make the same choice.”

She sighed tiredly. “but there could have been another way Barry.”

“There wasn't. You were somewhere else. Speed was Not the problem to reach you. It wasn't about more speed or powers.
Our connection was breaking by the minute, the longer you stayed there, the longer you were fluctuating between realities. Don't you get it they were erasing all the Irises and their connection to Barry's? I would have lost you forever Iris and the speed force wouldn't be able to find you either without that bond. There was no other way to strengthen it, to fix that bond than using our kids.”

She dropped her head on his chest crying. “I can't believe this is happening to us... why? What was their fault?”

“I don't know Iris. I don't have any answers. We can only hope that we get out of here, and meet our kids again in some way.”

“Even when all this is over, we won't have them. I'm never gonna be pregnant.”

He held her close. “I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry Iris.”

“What are you sorry for? You were saving my life. This is happening because of me. But who told you to love me so much, that you can give up anything for me..” she pouted.

“You do realise that if I hadn't saved you, there would anyway be no Nora and Bart right? It takes two to tango.”

“Stop it..” she slapped his chest.

Barry chuckled. “Too soon, I know. Hey, guess what. Now we can have meaningless sex anytime we want without worrying about condoms or birth control pills.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that's the best part out of it right..”

“I know..”

Both automatically fell into their coping mechanism, making a mockery of their situation as they couldn't do anything anyway being stuck here.

“Have you ever thought if we never get out of here…we will have to live here like forever…” she says thinking deeply

“Yeah ..i mean not the ideal place for our last moments to be but..i guess we can survive if we acclimate to this.. environment.” he half-joked

“..and we can see ourselves in different…timelines.”

“And living here means Living here….that includes everything, like …. getting intimate and having sex..”

“Ok, try not to get ahead of ourselves now. I'm not getting naked here.”

“What..it's a part of life..” he shrugged.

She chuckled. “You are so annoying Barry Allen, but I love you.”

He smiled and touched her cheek silently. “I love you more. Sorry we are stuck here.” he says apologetically.

“Not your fault they are so scared of Barry and Iris that they resorted to eliminating us.”
His hand trailed down her arm before stopping.

“What are these?” He asked gazing at the faint bruises and fingerprints on her arms.

Iris opened her mouth. “Uh..”

“He hit you!?”

“No me. The other Iris from there.”

Barry's jaw tightened as he thought about it.

“Barry it wasn't real. It was all negative tachyons, you know that.”

“I know, I just..how could he put his hands on you. You were going through so much there. And I feel terrible for that Barry. He had to see you with fucking Thawne. you were married to him”

“uh..not me, that illusionary Iris.” She corrected again “And don't worry..they didn't have that kind of relationship..”

“You mean they didn't….right?” He was asked fearing the answer.

“Yeah. Never. In fact she was cheating on Thawne with Barry.”

“oh…”

“Yeah..i mean she was just…phew” she gestured with her hand over her head. “... going all out with her Barry. They didn't care about anything. They were already married in their minds. See this is the ring.”

“And you kept this as souvenir from that Barry?”

“He was cute.”

“I didn't know you were into bad boys” he raised his brows.

“He wasn't bad…just on different side of the law.”

His expressions change all of a sudden seeing something across her shoulder.

“What's that?” He frowns seeing a little crack on the surface behind which was quickly widening making the ground break in two.

“Barry!!” Iris gasped and he pulled her to feet , keeping her behind himself fast.

They both clung to each other falling down the literal imaginary rabbit hole below the ground.

To be continued..

Chapter Text

Jay Garrick sees the man sitting alone and makes his way towards him.

He sees the photograph of Barry and Iris in his hands and touched his shoulder.
“They will be back soon Joe.”

“How? We don't even know whether they are dead or alive.”

Jay took a seat next to him. “I know. But this is not the first time they have been through something like this. Barry has gone there to save Iris. And he will.”

Joe wiped his eyes. "Yeah..i know he will."

They heard an alarm coming from star labs. “What's that?”

Chester and Cisco were on the monitors when they came there running into cortex.
“What is it?”

“It's… I'm getting a signal. It's Barry and Iris’s automatic alarm. we weren't getting it before.”

“Wait that means they are somewhere near by, i mean on this earth?” Cheater asked.

“More like in this universe. I think they are safe.” cisco smiled.

Joe took a breath of relief, sighing happily. “Oh my god..”

“can you both get their location?” Jay turned to both cisco and chester.

“We can't right now.”

“But we are trying.”

Joe nodded. “I'm..I'm calling Cecile.”

“I will call Mark and Caitlin.”

“I thought they were on their honeymoon.”

“They are, but Caitlin asked me to keep her informed. They were worried about Barry and Iris.”

They heard another alarm.

“it's the still force .”

Deon appeared there snapping his fingers.

“What's wrong?” Chester asked him, getting panicked.

“Not a good news.”

“Are Iris and Barry safe? Were you able to find them?”

Deon looked down. “Not them. I…I couldn't find the speed force. Alexa and Bashir tried too..but ...”

“What?”

Jay looked at the others and tried vibrating his hand. “I..I don't have my speed.”

“Yeah, the speed force is in danger.” Deon said. “its like it's gone from the face of the multiverse. It's the negative speed force messing things up.”

Cisco raised his head. “That means wherever Barry and Iris are, Barry doesn't have his speed. And they have no way of coming back home.”

Elsewhere Barry and Iris were falling down. They clung to each other before they found themselves on a ground.

Barry quickly tended to his wife. “Iris,?..Iris are you okay?”

She groaned. “Yeah..I am..where are we?”

Strangely it didn't hurt when they made that fall or when they were made to fall.
Barry felt every milli-second of it though. He noticed he was wearing civilian clothes. His flash costume was nowhere.

He tried to stand up and helped Iris, balancing her when she staggered a bit. He kept holding her for sometime.

“Where are we now?”

Barry groaned.
Great, someplace else. Somewhere new. He thought.

“I don't know Iris. Come on..”

They turned around the corner when Barry noticed Iris was limping slightly.
“You all right?”

“Im fine. It's just…”

He didn't give her chance to say anything and just bent down and placed his hand on the back of her knees and on her back easily lifting her up. “I will carry you.”

“It's nothing serious Barry.” She said but let him carry herself.

They both realised that this was Atlantic city.

Barry made her sit on a bench in a park and settled next to her. Some kids were playing and adults were strolling.

“I still don't have my speed.” Barry let's out after a second later.

Before Iris could respond. They heard something from two police officials on patrol who were crossing them.

“Yeah, did you hear? Mayor Snart is coming here today, he will be meeting Atlantic mayor to know the ground situation about the attack.”

“Yeah I know..”

Barry and Iris turned to each other. “Iris..we …we are on Earth-2”. He smiled. “That means we are part of the universe again.”

“oh my god.” She grinned and hugged him. “But your speed?”

“Barry? Iris? What are you doing here?”

“hey slugger..what a pleasant surprise.!”

The moment they both saw this Earth's Henry and Nora Allen approaching them, Barry stiffened.

Iris shockingly eyed her husband who went blank. She opened her mouth then closed it. She quickly came into action and smiled.
“Hi Nora, Hi Henry.” She pretended to be their actual daughter-in-law and not her other version. “ We were just…umm..I had a ccpd business here, so…. thought of visiting you too .”
She saw her husband’s eyes glistening.
He looked at her. She smiled and secretly signaled him to play along. He gave her a assuring nod and cleared his throat, holding her hand.

“Oh you guys did good honey..” Nora hugged both Barry and Iris simultaneously.

Barry hugged her back. “Hey mom, hey dad.” He said enthusiastically.

His father hugged them next. “But where are the kids? You guys didn't bring them? And where are your glasses Barry?”

“Um…kids..they umm..they had homework so couldn't come. Our neighbour is watching them.”

“But they are so small Barry. They are just 4.” Nora sighed. “Anyway that's ok I guess. We will come by and meet them on Thanksgiving.”

“Yeah..they miss you a lot.”

“we miss them too. Iris you changed your hair!” Nora exclaimed. “You look amazing!”

“Yeah I did” Iris says nervously.

“But when did you..get time…?” Nora was confused. “I mean just last week you were fussing over the kids and how they were draining you so much.” Nora and Henry chuckled.

"Well we can imagine, they are two little tornadoes." Henry said with an endearing tone.

“But you look perfect. The red suits you Iris.”

“Thankyou Nora.”

“You remembered?” He asked his "mom". They were all sitting down for lunch in Allen residence.

“remember? Of course I do. I know how much you love those casseroles. Even your kids love them.”

Barry smiled warmly at his 'mother'. “Yeah you are right.”

henry asked.“So you guys were here on ccpd business. Whats new Iris?”

“Um…yeah as you guys know Mayor Snart..he is visiting Atlantic City. So I'm here for that.”

“Oh…it must be to talk about the attack?”

“Attack..here?”

“Yeah it's those rogues creating buzz again. You know that pied piper, and who was that girl …allegra?”

“Allegra Garcia?”

“Yes..and felicity smoak, and that what’s her honey, virtue?” Henry laughed. “What kind of name is that?”

“Her actual name is Cecile.”

“Ok enough about villains now.”

Iris was doing the dishes with Nora after lunch when she heard Barry calling her.
Nora told her to go and leave the dishes.

“We can't stay here.” Barry says as soon as he gets her alone.

“i mean we have nowhere to go. At least we are someplace familiar. I'm thinking about going to central city to meet Barry Iris and kids.” she says smiling.

Barry looks at her incredulously. “This is not our world Iris. We don't belong here.”

She sighs. “Barry you don't have your speed. We are stuck here anyway for god knows how long. So why not make the most of this time?”

He scoffed. “and by making the most of it, you mean meeting versions of ourselves?”

“They know you are the Flash from different earth so what's wrong? They know about time travel.”

“I wouldn't be so sure about that, the timelines have been changed countless times after that.”

“yes the timelines changed not the earths and the people living in it.”

“after the crisis , i don't-”

“Barry..”

He let out a breath and asked her impatiently. “Why do you seriously want to go there Iris? The truth.”

She shrugged. “Just to meet them and the kids.”

“Is it not something to do with how we won't ever have children?” He asked. “ is it not because we won't have bart and Nora? That's why you want to meet them here?”

She straightened. “So what if I do? So what if I want that.”

“Iris they are Not Bart and Nora!. They are some twins.” Barry says forcibly

“Barry they are our kids.”

“No, they are not!.”

She closed her eyes and voiced slowly. “Are they not your parents?” She pointed to Henry and Nora in the kitchen.
“Even though you have made peace with them gone, don't you still wish that they were in our life again like this?” She controls her tears. “that we be a happy family like this?”
“Weren't you happy seeing them again after so many years Barry even though they are not technically…

Barry takes a breath and reaches out to her, understanding her point.

She pauses feeling her husband’s arms around her. “even though we won't have them, we can at least see them..”

He slowly wiped her tears. He never realised that them not having their kids would affect her so deeply. It affected him too but he had to make peace with it.

“I'm sorry Iris. I'm so sorry.”

“It's ok..so can we go? I promise I will see them from a distance.” she asked innocently that Barry felt foolish for stopping her.

Barry nodded. “Yeah whatever you want.”

They said goodbye to Nora and Henry. It was difficult but with Iris by his side, he could do it. Barry and Iris promised to make them proud. Henry and Nora were glad that they could come here. They also promised them that they would visit soon. Barry hugged them one last time, hiding his tears.

When they reached central city, they decided to just stay away from Earth-2’s timeline. So they decided to look at them from a distance.

They watched detective Iris West-Allen coming out of their home, holding her daughter’s hand. And a second later principal csi of forensic department ccpd, Barry Allen came out carrying his son.
Both the kids were exact halves of each of their parents.

The little boy had a bow-tie around his neck looking so much like Earth-2 Barry and his equally cute sister had one hand in her pocket copying her mother. She had her father's nervousness on her face. Her brother had his mother's fierceness in his eyes.
Both earth-2 Barry and Iris themselves looked amazing too. Earth-2 Barry was looking more confident compared to the last time Barry saw him and Earth-2 Iris actually seems to be smiling more.

Barry eyes his own Iris as she watched them with a longing gaze.
“They look so happy Barry.”

He nodded. “They Are happy Iris.” they didn't even know their names but they loved those kids.

She turned to him looking at his guilty face and sighed. “ If I was in your place, I would’ve done the same thing Barry. If your life was in danger and if it was the only way to save you, i would’ve made the same sacrifice..you don't have to feel guilty.” She knew her husband must be holding himself responsible for this. As he always did. She knew him.

“I love them too Iris. I …i just .. sometimes it's hard not to feel sorry that I couldn't give you a life like them,a family like them” he says staring where this Earth’s Barry and Iris were.

“You have given me a wonderful life. I'm so lucky to get you Barry. I don't want their life. I want you, just you. And if we had to die right now, if it's the end, then I’d happily die with you by my side.”

He smiled softly at her. “Just when I think i couldn't possibly love you more, you prove me wrong”

She hugged him after that as they both watched Earth-2 Barry and Iris going away with their kids.

Suddenly they felt some tremor underneath the ground.
They both gasped.
And a couple of seconds later, the scene around them changed to something black and red, pretty soon it turned to their loft.
They were inside their loft.

Barry and Iris pulled away from each other and examined their surroundings.
Barry felt something strange. He knew what this place was.

With a bright streak, they found someone in white and blue costume and a mask standing in front of them.
Barry quickly outstretched his protective arm around Iris, shielding her and backed them away quickly.

Iris was terrified.

“Who …who are you?” Barry asked.

The intruder kept quiet.
“Who are you …tell me.”

He still kept quiet.

there was an outstretched silence after which he spoke.

"Cobalt blue.” the intruder says in a dark and menacing vibrating voice.

Iris recoiled hearing it.

“Welcome to the negative speedforce, Flash and Iris….how did you like your journey? You made quite a lot of stops. Different realities different earths.. especially you Iris?”

Barry angrily nodded. “It's been you this whole time? The negative speed force Avatar?”

Iris shouted. “The one messing with my mind, making me go insane. Separating me from my husband?!”

“Not just me. It's the speed force flowing in my veins. You call it negative. For me it's positive, it's my oxygen, my livelihood. It gave me a purpose it gave me my life back.”

Iris and Barry looked at each other.

“It was nothing personal Iris! We needed to do it.”

“And who is this we?”

“It's my speed force… and myself. The flash’s biggest rival. Eobard is going beserk after you defeated him. When he doesn't get what he wants, he falls back to changing the timeline..again and again. My Speed force doesn't want that unstability, it doesn't want a maniac like Eobard anymore. That's why it chose me. Because I had purpose unlike Eobard who just had madness and nothing else.”

“and what is Your purpose? Who are you under that mask?” Barry asked seriously.

Cobalt blue brought his hand up slowly and tapped the side of his mask near his ear, just like Barry had done countless times with his superhero costume.

The mask slowly disappeared and they came face to face with the negative speed force’s new avatar.

Iris gasped. “Eddie …”

Barry was stunned. “Eddie, You’re…you are alive?” he shockingly asked.

Iris shook her head. “How.. is this possible?”

“Really Iris?, you people come across impossibles evey day, and this is what you find impossible?” Cobalt asks pointing his hand around his face.

Iris shuddered hearing his voice after years.

“I get it now, negative speed force resurrected you.” Barry was still reeling from the fact that negative speed force would chose someone like Eddie to be it's avatar. It would use someone who had a history with them.

“It showed me a way, it promised me everything that could be mine.”

Barry eyed him suspiciously. “I cant believe this Eddie. You were a good person. You sacrificed your life. How could you turn against us like that?”

“Yes, and you liked it didn't you Flash? Liked how i foolishly sacrificed my life to become her hero” he pointed at Iris with his eyes. “and the biggest blocker in your way of getting her was finally gone?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Flash, you are a villain in my story, i sacrificed my life for a woman that was never mine, who didnt even love me ..” he scoffed. “and i sacrificed for a man who got with that woman as soon as I was dead. Its like you both were waiting for me to die.”

“Barry has done nothing wrong to you Eddie! You already knew that Barry and I would be together in the future. You saw that newspaper..you always knew. Nobody asked you to sacrifice your life. Nobody asked you to shoot yourself. Are you so selfish to expect us to not live our lives after you died?”

Cobalt took a step forward and Barry backed away with Iris behind him.

“Doesn't matter now Iris. What matters is the here and now. What matters is that you will do whatever i say, because I'm the negative speed force avatar. If you don't, my speed force can send Iris on another long journey with no way of meeting her precious husband. She would become crazy without you Barry. I would make sure of that. She would lose her mind. She will suffer in agony yearning for her husband.

"shut up!"

Those realities were exciting weren't they, Iris? How did you guys like your separation? Did it hurt, Barry? knowing that you lost her forever, that you would never get her back again? Were you miserable without her? Were you tormented?” he sickily taunted.
“Guess what, it hurt me too first when negative speed force showed me your moments how you kissed her, how you fucked her, how she ran to your arms like always, " he scoffed.

Barry glared at him, fisting his hands.

Cobalt kept talking ingoring Barry. "how you both were so happy, how you always passed every obstacle to be with each other...I was hurt….” he says with resentment.

“Oh the last one, how did it feel like to see your parents and your kids one last time and then taken away in just a snap? That was my favorite part.” he laughed. “Oh no…”

He gritted his teeth “Breaking your pathetic connection, your bond, I enjoyed That the most. You no longer have your sparks that bonded you to each other. I broke your connection. she is not yours anymore Flash ” he sinisterly said getting absolutely crazy with his anger.

Iris had a look of disbelief on her face while Barry’s face was stoic as they kept listening to him.

“You are crazy..” Iris whispered.

“Maybe I am. Maybe I am no better than Eobard" he shrugged. "but there is a difference. Eobard would have killed you by the way, “ he titled his face sideways “ if he could, that is, and I.... i can very well kill you but I still won't.”

“Well thankyou.” Iris said sarcastically.

"Because I loved torturing you, tormenting you... drawing out your pain."

he shook his head. “anyway enough of this nonsense, “ he sighed and looked at Barry. “so Flash, are we aligned? I need something from you and you will give it to me and i will let you both live. Now," he turned to Barry. "You will do whatever i say Flash.”

He was coldly looking at Barry and Barry held his gaze “What do you want?” he asked straight to the point.

Cobalt eyed across his shoulder.

“Her.”

“You take a step closer to her, and I will wipe out your pathetic existence off their universe!!” Barry glowered at him angrily. “And no negative speedforce will be able to save you.” He added in quiet and threatening voice.

Cobalt smirked. “Big words. Are you sure you are in a position of doing that. Where is your speed Flash. Do you not know your speed force died. There is only negative in existence now.”

Barry looked on as he realised that's why he didn't have his speed.

“That's why I'm telling you. Give her to me.” cobalt said

“I'm not an object Eddie! that Barry or anyone else can ‘give’ you. And no I'm never gonna be on the negative side.” Iris firmly declared

“It's nothing personal Iris. negative entity wants you. They want you for me. They need you…. I need you.”

“The answer is still no.” She had tears in her eyes. “Kill us right now.” she said holding her husband’s hand.

Cobalt eyed their joined hands and tightened his jaw with jealousy.

“You heard her Eddie, or the whatever your name is. You can kill us both and end this but we won't let go of each other. I am never gonna let you hurt her.” Barry promised squeezing Iris’s hand tighter. He wanted to destroy him. This was not the old Eddie.

He whispered “You know Flash, I can take her away and make her mine in front of your eyes and you won't be able to do anything.”

“I will kill you!” Barry angrily whispered.

Cobalt kept talking.
“i have speed, you dont. You can't stop me Flash. And you Iris, you don't even know what kind of torture awaits you at the hands of my speed force. If you deny my speed force, you will bear the consequences. But..”

He turns away slightly and exhaled dramatically. “..I'm not that cruel. I was a human once and I truly loved you.” his voice turned nostalgiac looking at her.
“So, I will give you both a few hours to decide.”
“Accept my offer Iris. Be mine. And let her go Flash, she doesn't belong to you anyway. Your connection is severed. Be smart about it..you both will live that way and the balance will remain intact. Thats all what negative speedforce wants.”

he smiled at Iris and using his speed he sped away.

Iris tearfully exhaled. “I cant believe i ever cared for him.”

Barry slowly pulled her in his arms as she cried.
He whispered after a second.
“I'm so sorry Iris. I'm sorry. Its... it's all because of me. I ruined your life.”

She pulled away and sees his tears.

Barry breathed. “If you weren't in my life, if you weren't my strength, my lightning rod..my everything ...”

“Why do you say things like that Barry? Don't you know I'm nothing without you. I won't even be alive without you.” she desperately added. He can't drown in self-agony and hate again.

“But I failed to save you Iris…”

“You can never fail me Barry. Did you hear me? You said that I was your strength. Don't let me become your weakness.”

Barry firmly nodded and wiped her tears softly before wiping his own. “I...I can do anything if you are with me,”

She pecked on his forehead. “right, so we have to fight this, till our last breath, so think about our options. And think about solutions.”

He nodded. “Yeah , yeah..we have to fight” he tried to think with a clear mind. “Eddie said that the speed force is dead but I don't believe this. He said the balance would be intact, how will it be intact when speed force is dead.”

“Right, because speed is not some living entity, so how can it die?” Iris questioned.

“Exactly.”

“So we have to find it, find the Speed force?”

“Or maybe…recreate it..again.”

“But Barry we don't have our sparks. How will we do it?

“No Iris i think we still have them. Remember the last time speedforce died, you still had lightning spark inside you. We created it with that tiny spark. Iris we will need to somehow reignite that spark.”

It had been an hour since “Eddie” left them. And Barry tried every equation he could remember, every knowledge he had to find some solutions, to find anything that would give them something to reignite that spark.

Iris was helping with any research possible in their loft. She had books all around her.

She frustratingly sighed. “Why exactly does it want me?”

“I told you, negative speed force wants what I have. There is no me without you that's why.”

“I'm no good without you Barry. So why the hell they don't leave me alone? Why don't they leave us alone??” She cried.

Barry let out a harsh breath and sat near her. “Hey, leave all this for minute...and take a break.”

She shook her head sniffling and lowered her voice. “I'm not tired Barry. I will fight till my last breath. But Im tired of people using me against you. My autonomy doesn't even matter. Why do they taint our connection using it in this way. Why do they use me this way? Eobard, negative speed force, Eddie everyone. Why do they torture us? What have we ever done to them?”

Barry smiled sadly moisture gathering in his eyes. “do you really not know, Iris? They do this because you are everything to me. There is no Flash or no Barry Allen without Iris West-Allen. And they know it. They know that you are the source of my powers, you are the reason of everything good inside me. I was made the paragon of love because of you. Because of your love. I'm a hero, the flash because of your love. I will lose myself if I lose you. That's all they want. They know your importance,” he touched her cheek softly. “They know you are my lightning rod. Negative speed force know that if it had you, it can control anything, it can achieve anything if they had you. Because for it you would be the same thing you are to me. You will be it's strength. That's why they chose Eddie, Iris. because in his weird twisted way, he still loves you. They want to take you away from me so that I would die automatically." He shakes his head softly, his eyes dull. "Barry Allen would cease to exist without you. You are my whole universe. You are my everything.”

“Barry..” she whispered looking at his face. Tears streaming down her face she choked on her words.
“I love you so much.”

Barry lowered his eyes to her lips before wiping her tears.

She closed her eyes as she felt him cupping her face and finally letting their lips meet. She felt his lips brush hers and felt an abundance of love for him flowing in her veins. Barry poured his everything, every ounce of his love in and his devotion into the kiss. If it's the last time, he’d get to kiss her, he wanted to make sure to show her that she was his life. If it's the last time, he gets to hold her, he never wants to stop.
Iris breathes him in deepening their connection, she wanted the love of her life as close to her as possible. This won't be their last time. This won't be their last kiss. She was sure of that. She knew it in her heart. Iris moved her lips urgently on his, shoving her tongue inside his mouth.
Barry’s tongue wrapped around hers slowly and strongly savoring the moment. They both tasted every inch of each other’s mouths. Never wanting to separate, never wanting to stop. Iris felt his tears on her face, and she kissed him intensely, trying to take his pain away.
you can't lose me Barry. I won't let you. We are not gonna lose each other. I promise.
She keeps repeating it in her heart while she felt him losing the battle, she felt him giving up. She could tell by his kisses, by his touch and by how he was holding her. He squeezed her tighter to him, feeling every inch of her body against himself. He kept lapping her sweet lips slowly, reverently, crying while doing so, feeling sorry that he couldn't save them. Feeling sorry that he couldn't save their kids. Yes it's not his fault. But it's not her fault either. It's not her fault that he loves her so much. It's not her fault that she is his everything. He felt his love becoming tainted, becoming a burden, a danger to her life, so to purify it again, he kept kissing her again and again. It was like he wanted to prove something. She didn't ..but He needed it. She was so pure , so selfless that she loved him more than anything, despite everything. She would never fault him. Iris has been his as long as he lived. And he hers. That's all that mattered to him if he had to lose her. he wanted this as the last memory of them for her. If he wouldnt be there with her anymore, his love would always be. The last memory of Barry and Iris.

Iris felt a jerk and she gasped against his lips.
“Barry…”

Barry's felt a buzzing sensation through his body as he pulled away slowly resting his forehead on her.
“Iris..i love you.”

They felt a lightning presence around them.

“Thankyou for bringing me back.” Barry heard speed force standing there clutching its forehead.

Iris quickly jumped and stood up. Barry was by her side still holding her close.
Their faces were wet with tears.

Speed force Nora took note of their appearance and their pain etched on their faces and it straightened.
“I'm here now.” it assured them.

Barry's hand suddenly started vibrating and he turned to Iris in surprise. Iris smiled getting relieved. “Barry…”

They both turn to speed force.

“Get ready, it's time to fight now..” it smiled seeing their face renewed with a powerful energy as powerful as their connection was.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

2017, Iris West's timeline

Iris stares into the empty space where just a moment ago, her own reflection—another Iris—stood. The presence had vanished as suddenly as it appeared, leaving her caught between awe and fear. Her chest rises and falls in a series of shuddering breaths, trying to steady the storm within her.
The door swings open softly, and Barry steps in, concern etched across his face as he studies her. His voice, gentle yet urgent, cuts through the silence. “Iris, what’s… what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She startles slightly, but answers trying to appear calm and trying to keep the waver out of her voice. “Nothing. I’m ..fine,”
Her mind races. She recalls the other Iris’s stern warning—how she’d told her not to tell anyone, especially Barry—and how she’d emphasized that time travel had consequences. But her heart refuses to lie to Barry. She remembers the times Barry had hidden things from her, each one stung like a betrayal. They had promised each other never to hide anything, even if the truth was complicated or dangerous. To conceal this feels like a betrayal of everything they stand for.

A pang of guilt and resolve clashes inside her.
If she keeps silent, she risks betraying her own principles, betraying Barry—and herself. Wouldn't that make her a hypocrite when she herself is always emphasizing on honesty in a relationship, especially in her relationship with Barry? When she herself was a victim of the gaslighting in the hands of Barry and her father?
Yet, if she reveals what she’s seen, she could set off a chain reaction, a ripple that might have serious consequences. What is after knowing it, Barry tries to avoid doing certain things that he was supposed to do or vice-versa?
Her heart aches with the weight of her choice, torn in two. The fear of what might happen if the truth gets out battles with the instinct to be honest with Barry.

They walk into the restaurant, Barry having gone all out—he booked the entire place just for her. Iris watches as he gently pushes her chair in, a small smile tugging at her lips. Once they’re seated, Barry asks, concern flickering in his eyes. “Are you sure you are okay?”
She offers a soft smile, her voice warm. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Yet inside, her mind is racing—she knows she has to tell him what she saw, and soon.
Barry’s smile widens, his warmth undeniable. He takes her hand gently in his. “I’m so happy. We’re finally here, like this. And I can enjoy our engagement—the good parts of our relationship—without that shadow of fear of losing you hanging over me. We didn't even chance to savor this-you being my girlfriend, my finacee before..” he stopped and looked at her. “I love you, Iris. You have no idea how much.”

Tears prick her eyes as she looks into his loving gaze. His words wrap around her heart, filling her with joy. “I love you too, Barry,” she whispers.
The waiter arrives, taking their orders. But Iris’s mind is elsewhere. She hesitates, then softly asks, “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”

She takes a breath, before continuing. “When you guys freed Wally from the Speed Force prison, Jay took his place. But now that we’ve freed Jay, hasn’t the speedforce become unstable again? But, everything seems pretty normal, like there is no consequence.”
Barry tilts his head, considering. “Yeah, logically, it should. But it turns out Savitar was the solution.”
Confused, Iris frowns. “I don’t get it.”

Barry’s expression remains calm, almost matter-of-fact. “Living in the Speed Force for decades—maybe centuries for a speedster—Savitar wasn’t unprepared. He knew it's in and outs. He manipulated the laws of the Speed Force. And he made a—” he pauses, “—a clone of himself, to trick the Speedforce whenever he was out wreaking havoc in other timelines…”
Iris’s brow furrows. “So he made another time remnant?”
“More like he cloned his DNA—my DNA,” Barry says softly, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “And since I created the Flashpoint, that was my punishment. With my DNA in there, the Speed Force saw it as satisfying some kind of balance. Ultimately, a version of me—Savitar—was punished for Flashpoint.”

Her face falls, sadness washing over her features. She looks down, silent.
Barry reaches across the table, his voice gentle. “You still feel bad for him, don’t you?”
She shakes her head, offering a sad smile. “It’s hard not to.” She leans forward, voice softer. “But thats not why I'm sad right now, it's not just him. It's you. Barry, please end your guilt. Flashpoint was your fault, but you’ve already paid the price—way before that. You didn’t ask to be the Flash. You were chosen. Think of Flashpoint as a learning, not a mistake.”

Barry’s eyes shimmer with new hope, a small smile breaking through, looking at woman who was his entire world. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Iris. You’re my everything.”
He continues. “If something happens to you,...” He shook his head. “I just never wanna lose you again. Never.”
She smiles softly back at him. “And I’m right here, Barry. Always. I promise I'm never gonna leave you.”
He gently lifts her hand, pressing a tender kiss to her fingers. In that moment, Iris’s resolve hardens. She knows she has to tell him the truth, no matter what. The truth that she saw an Iris who was time traveling. It's Barry, he cares about protecting the timeline more than anyone. He of all people deserves this truth.

“Barry,” she begins, voice but resolute.
“What Iris?”
“There’s something I need to tell -”
Before she can finish, a violent gust of wind sweeps through the restaurant. The air thickens, and in an instant, she’s gone. One second she’s there, next—she’s vanished.

Barry’s heart plummets. His eyes dart around desperately. “Iris?!” he yells, voice cracking with panic. “Iris?!”
Silence. The chair is empty. The restaurant is eerily still.
His world shatters in an instant.

2015, Iris

Iris enters his apartment, visibly frustrated, her purse in hand sees Barry sits on the couch, surrounded by reports

“Hey you back early?” he asks

“Yeah. How was Your day?” She asked in a low voice.

Barry frowns but answers in return. “well..just finished completing these reports otherwise captain Singh would come after my life tomorrow..and yeah team is building a device, something that prevents Grodd’s mind control. There was nothing much we can do now until he shows up again, so I came home.”

“Oh ok..” she puts her hand bag down and came near him to sit

“What's up with you?” Barry asked before kissing her and bringing her legs up in his lap.
"My editor wants me to only write about the Flash and just the Flash."
Barry raises a brow, amused.
“Is that a problem?”

"I don’t want to be just the Flash’s PR girl. I want to write about more than just speedsters. Other real stories."

Barry smirks, leaning in.
“Hmm and here i thought you were content just writing about me..”

“Uh..huh, dont get cocky Allen. I'm a serious journalist. And honestly Flash was just a side gig for my blog,” she shrugged. “he is becoming old news now.”

Barry gasped, putting a hand on his heart. “You hurt me, West.”

“It is what it is..ahh….”
She screamed as Barry started tickling her.

“what were you saying?” He grins mischievously while tickling her.

“Barry.. stopp..”

Barry stopped his teasing and grinned eye to eye before pecking on her nose. “Liked it?”

“You are so bad.” she mutters, pushing against his chest, huffing.
He giggles and leans forward, softly pressing his lips to hers. She reciprocates, deepening the kiss. After they pull apart for air, she asks,
“I heard on grapevine that ccpd is creating a task-force to catch the Scarlet speedster? ”

Barry responds tiredly. “Yeah. Eddie Thawne convinced the captain and your dad.”

“Oh.. detective pretty boy.”

“What?” Barry frowns.

“That's what my dad calls him. Says he keeps scores when it comes to arrests.” She rolls her eyes.

“Hm.” Barry nodded. “You never called me pretty.” he almost pouted.

She laughed. “As I said it was dad. And you are handsome. A very brilliant forensic scientist, a handsome hunk in his superhero costume. And He is just.. ‘pretty'. There is a difference, Allen.”

Barry chuckls loudly. “oh, please don't let Eddie hear you. He will die of shame, especially since he has a crush on you.”

“Please, what does that guy even think of himself, creating a task-force?” She rolls her eyes. “But anyway, good to know I have options.” Iris says teasing him.

Barry furrowed his brow. “Iris, he is trying to be a hotshot detective who is after the Flash because-”

“because he is jealous and insecure of him? Oh, you are cocky Allen.”

“really? And you are the one calling Thawne ‘pretty’ what about that?”. Barry retorts. “please don't call other men ‘pretty’ in front of me.”

She smirked. “Or what Barry? You are gonna punish me?” She whispered, lowering her voice. “Spank me?”

“Mmm..don't say things like that West, I might not be able to stop myself from doing something.”

“Like what?”

The next second she found herself on her back pinned beneath Barry.
She pants. “Using your speed? I hate when you play dirty.”

“You sure?”

She pulled him to her instead of answering and they indulge in their desires.

Barry moves his lips on her neck, unbuttoning her shirt. She removes it with his help. He tries to get his shirt off too when suddenly the buzz of his phone interrupts them.

He sits up and helps her sit up too before taking his phone.
“It's star labs, they got Grodd’s location. Cisco is asking me to hurry up.”

“Yeah, caitlin is texting me ‘we have an emergency, Cisco is spiriling, can Barry come?’ “ she says reading the text on her phone. She puts a finger on her teeth and wonders.
“When do you think they will stop dancing around each other? Why don't they just confess?”

“Well Cisco tried to confess his feelings to her, but she got scared and ran- “ his eyes widened. “Iris, why we are discussing our friends’ love life, we have an emergency!!”

With that, he speeds off with her to STAR Labs in an instant., skidding to a stop in cortex.

After experiencing a gust of wind, Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow stand wide-eyed, staring at the scene before them: the Scarlet speedster there with a half-naked Iris in front of them.

They looked shell-shocked witnessing the pair before them.

Iris covered her bra-covered chest with her arms as she yelled. “Barry! I said "dress me up first.”

“Ohh ..sorry..I'm sorry.” Barry stammers, repeating expletives as he shields her with his body. “Please.. forget it happened” he says to their audience.

Caitlin came into action swiftly and hands Iris a STAR Labs T-shirt, which Iris quickly puts on in an instant.

An awkward silence settles among the four after the moment they just experienced.

Cisco was the first to break the tension,he was amused. “Oh, I’ll never forget this,” he says, pointing between Barry and Iris.

Iris stuck her tongue out to him mockingly.

Barry cleared his throat. “Ok where is the fire? Why did you call?” he says getting straight to business.

“Ok relax princess. We’ve got lead on Grodd's, that's why.”

“Where is he.. or it?” Barry asks, impatience creeping into his tone.

“he's under the subway in sewers on 5th and main, but we haven't finished with the device yet.” Cisco answered.

“You havent?”

“Umm not quite.” Cisco sheepishly says.

“Cisco, why did you say it was emergency then?"
Barry sighed, frustratingly.

Iris reached out gently rubbing his arm. “hey, It's ok, we are gonna continue ‘that’ later. It's crime-fighting time now.”

Barry’s face softened as he looked at her, a small smile forming. “Right. Let’s do this.”

After sometime when the device powered up, Barry steeled himself, prepared to face Grodd. Determined to put an end to the chaos he had unleashed upon the city. He kissed Iris and sped off.
Inside the dark, damp underground subway beneath the city, Barry sprinted forward, the device strapped firmly to his head. The device was finally ready, and he was determined to confront Grodd and stop his reign of terror. As he approached the creature’s lair, he carefully adjusted the device, ensuring it stayed in place.
"Ok Barry, he is at your left. Tread carefully and put those metacuffs on it."
"Ok, yeah..."
Suddenly, a tremor shook the tunnel—Grodd’s massive hand snatched at the device, yanking it free from Barry’s forehead. The device clattered to the ground. Barry lunged to retrieve it, but Grodd was quick. Before Barry could react, the ape’s tendrils of mind control surged into him, overriding his will.
“Oh no..!” Cisco gasped.
“What’s happening?” Iris asked terrified.

“He lost the device. Grodd yanked it away.”
“he is.. being controlled by grodd.” Caitlin’s eyes widened.

Iris took a desperate whine. “No.” she was silently looking at the monitor with bated breath, silently praying for her boyfriend. “You can do this Barry.”

Barry froze, his body stiffening as Grodd’s influence overtook him. His limbs felt numb, and his mind was clouded. From behind, the underground subway train roared closer, its lights piercing the darkness. The train was approaching rapidly, its momentum threatening to crush him.
“Oh we got a bigger problem. The train is approaching in his direction.”

“Barry..Barry..you need to get off the tracks..”
Iris’s breath caught in her throat. “No..”

“He is not answering.”
“Do something!” Iris shouted frustratingly with tears in her eyes.
“I cant stop the train..” Cisco said.

Barry’s heart pounded—he was almost paralyzed.
Iris with desperation stepped to the monitor quickly taking control of the situation. Cisco and caitlin gave her space. They trusted her that she would be able to do something.
Under Grodd’s control, Barry was powerless, a puppet on the verge of being crushed. Desperation welled within him, but then, a voice—soft yet unwavering—cut through the chaos.
“Barry…i need you to listen to me”

It was Iris.
she says urgently but softly. “Just concentrate on my voice.You have to fight it.”
“Iris..i…cant.”
“Yes you can Barry. I know you can do it. I know how strong you are. Remember us. Remember what we fight for.”
Her voice echoed vividly in his mind, sharp and clear. He saw her face—her smile, the way she looked at him with unwavering faith. He remembered their moments together: the quiet mornings, their shared laughter, her beautiful face, her kind heart, the love and fire in her eyes when she believed in him.
“You’re not alone,” Iris’s voice continued. “I’m with you. You can fight this. You’re stronger than this. Do it for me, do it for us. Please..”
The train’s lights grew brighter. Barry remembers their first kiss and his resolve crystallized. Every time he faltered, Iris’s voice echoed louder in his mind, reinforcing his will. His thoughts sharpened—her belief in him, their shared hope, the love that fueled his strength.
He clenched his fists, fighting against the mental chains. Focusing on her voice, he pushed back—one step, then another. With a surge of adrenaline and sheer determination, Barry drew from the depth of his love and purpose. He wrenched himself free from Grodd’s control, staggering back from the tracks.
As the train thundered past mere inches from him, Barry leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the metal beast. Gasping for breath, he looked up, eyes blazing with renewed determination. The fight was far from over, but he knew—he wouldn’t lose.
Because Iris was with him. And as long as he remembered that, no obstacle could break him.

"Iris, I’m fine... I’m coming back. I’m coming home to you.”
Iris took a deep, trembling breath as tears welled in her eyes. “Come home, Barry...come home” she whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Cisco and Caitlin exchanged a knowing look, their smiles warm as they watched the powerful connection between Barry and Iris unfold. Every time he falters or makes a mistake, the thought of her is what picks him up and keeps him going.
Caitlin gently rubbed Iris’s back. “Are you okay, Iris?”
“Yeah... yes, I am,” she whispered, relief flooding her voice. She excused herself quietly, needing a moment to collect herself.

Standing alone in the hallway, Iris waited for Barry, her heart pounding as she fought to steady her nerves. She had almost lost him today. Soon, he would return—and everything would be right again.

Suddenly she felt some trembling and felt light sparks inside her body. She turned around and found a large ball of energy, a wormhole approaching her. Before she could make a sound it engulfed her into it.

When Barry finally returned, he immediately set off in search of Iris. His heart pounding, he darted toward the Cortex, but she wasn’t there. Cisco approached swiftly, concern etched on his face.
“She needed to calm down,” Cisco explained softly, “She probably went to the hallway.”
Without hesitation, Barry sped out into the large corridor. He scanned the expansive hallway, but Iris was nowhere in sight. His eyes darted around, and in a blur of motion, he pushed himself to search the entire STAR Labs. Still, there was no sign of her.
Panic took hold—his body trembling, dread curling inside him like ice. He checked her apartment, then his own, desperately hoping to find some trace of her. But everything was empty. No clues, no signs.
His voice cracked as he finally yelled, “No… no… no, no, no!! This can’t be happening…Not Iris, not her..! Iris!”

2026, Iris West-Allen

Iris checked her watch anxiously, the glow of the city lights flickering softly in the background as she waited for her source. she could feel the weight of the story pressing down on her. For days, a new menace had been causing chaos in Central City: a meta known only as “Touch-Me-Not.” His powers were lethal. Anyone who made physical contact with him risked turning to stone, and he was using that power to hurt innocent people.

On the other hand Barry pushing himself to track the elusive “Touch-Me-Not,” but every lead seemed to dissolve into darkness. they had no idea how to stop him. No clear weakness, no way to predict his next move. Their Star Labs satellites had detected heat signatures from multiple locations within seconds—that means he had a teleportation device, or some way to vanish and reappear instantly. They even tried to locate the that particular device’s footprint but had no luck. The meta was exceptionally clever, meticulously prepared, and using cutting-edge technology. It was expected that in the year 2026, villains had evolved—metas were no longer just raw power, but masters of technology and deception.

When she told Barry about her story, he obviously was very worried. And he asked her to take her crew with her because it was dangerous. Barry’s concern was evident. He was doing his best to stay calm but he was desperate to protect her. So he decided to follow her covertly, to keep her safe without alarming her.

Meanwhile, their daughter Nora was safe at home with Joe babysitting her, unaware of the peril her parents faced tonight.

Barry’s focus was solely on Iris, his mind racing with strategies and worst-case scenarios. He arrived silently using this speed, lurking in the shadows, watching her from a distance. He refrained from approaching—he didn’t want to spook her or her source. But his instincts were on high alert. He saw her tense as she waited.

Iris’s source obviously didn't come. She sighed and contacted him, but got no answer. She was worried about him. she reluctantly turned away, heading back to her car. On the drive home she thought that she had failed her source. His disappearance meant only one thing that ‘touch-me-not’ got to him first.

She entered her home and Barry was already waiting for her.

“I…” he admitted. “I couldn't stop myself. I followed you there Iris.”

She was surprised. “Barry..”

“I know, i know.. and before you say anything else, I was worried Iris.”

“It's ok, my source didn't show up. Barry what if something happened to him.”

Barry quickly approached her and took her in his arms. “It's not on you, you can't save everyone, you told me that remember.”

“But what if all happened because i asked him to tell me.”

“If that is the case, then I don't want you to investigate this anymore. If he knows about you, you are in danger too.”

“Barry..”

“Iris please..” he begged. “Nora and I , we cannot lose you. please..”

Barry had his arms around Iris, spooning her as they sleeping in their bed.

Iris carefully untangled herself from him when she needed to use bathroom

She same back and was going to her bed preparing to join her husband, when suddenly the ground beneath her trembled violently. Sparks danced inside her, and her body stiffened as if caught in an electric storm. She quickly watched as Barry sat up with alarm and his eyes widened.
“Iris..!”

“Barryy..”

Before he could do anything,a swirling, radiant vortex of energy erupted around her. Her scream pounded in his chest
“Iris..no!!” he yelled, reaching toward her in a blur to move her away from the vortex. But it was too late, she had already vanished right in front of his eyes.
“Iris!!” Barry’s voice broke. she was gone—evaporating into the swirling chaos, leaving nothing behind but an echo of her scream. “No!!! No…Iris!!”
The world around him seemed to freeze as he stared at the empty space where she had just been, helpless and devastated, and completely broken. "No...!!" His world coming to an end.

Present, negative speed force

Eddie(Cobalt Blue) makes his presence known with a thundering halt.

“So have you decided Iris?” he asks and squints seeing the absence of Flash. “Hm..where is Flash?”

Iris spins around, her heart pounding. Eddie smirks seeing her feared reaction. His eyes glint with menace.

“Eddie. It’s over. You can’t hurt me anymore.” Iris says defiantly.

“Hurt you? Oh, sweetheart, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to save you. You just don’t see it yet.”

“You’ve caused enough pain. Stay away from me.” she again says.

Eddie takes a step closer, voice darkening.
“You think you’re the only one who’s suffered? Think about me, think about all that I went through. Seeing you…,” he stopped himself. “I’ve been patient, Iris. But patience only lasts so long when you’re so stubborn. You belong with Cobalt blue. You’re mine. And I won’t let anyone take you away.”

Iris backs up, trembling.
“ I don’t belong to anyone.” she muttered.

He steps forward, voice rising.
“And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you. Even if that means making sure you never leave here.” He reaches out to grab her wrist.

“That's never gonna happen in this life!!” Barry snarled as he skidded to a stop next to Iris.

“Stay back Thawne.“ Cobalt Blue turned to the voice of speedforce echoing.“You are not gonna hurt them again.”

Cobalt looked over to Iris.

“I told you, it's over.” She says.

Cabalt chuckled. “Oh..oh so you are alive.” he says to the speedforce.
“But not for long, I'm afraid. We are going to kill you and your avatar.”

“I would like to see you try.”

“Very well.”

Cobalt closed his eyes and summoned his own negative Speed force.
A couple of seconds. A human form of negative speedforce stood in front of them.

Iris gasped seeing ‘it’. Seeing her father appear there.

Barry’s eyes widened as the man who was like a father to him, smiled sinisterly looking at them.

“Dad..” Iris stepped forward.

But Barry stopped her. “He is not Joe Iris.”

Cobalt blue laughed. “I knew you’d be surprised. The thing is I looked up to Joe when I was alive. He was my partner, my mentor. My negative speedforce appear to me as detective Joe West.”

“It doesn't matter whoever it appears to be. You both are gonna lose.”

“Joe West” laughed. “Oh is that so?..then save yourself.”

Suddenly the scene around them transferred from their loft to the Negative speed force void.

The two opposite speedforce entities rained a thunderstorm in the sky and clashed with their energy.
Joe West, the embodiment of the negative Speed Force, stood opposite Nora, their clash a maelstrom of shadow and darkness. Nora’s Speed Force, vibrant and radiant, pulsed with a life force that seemed to defy the encroaching void. Her movements, while still fluid, were less about speed and more about control. She channeled the positive, the light, trying to push back the encroaching darkness. But Joe West was relentless, his every move fueled by the very essence of despair and hatred. The sky shuddered with their movements.

Barry shielded Iris behind him as he saw Eddie.

The air crackled with a cacophony of sonic booms and crackling energy. Cobalt Blue, his eyes burning with a cold, calculating fury, lunged at Barry Allen.

Iris screamed. “Barryy!”

Hearing her scream, Eddie’s resolved hardened and he tried to throw more punches at Barry . Each punch, each kick, was a torrent of controlled lightning, a symphony of white-hot destruction. But Barry, his own speedforce surging, countered with a brutal efficiency, his movements a blur of impossible speed and precision. The fight was a dance of death, a ballet of pure kinetic energy.

Cobalt Blue's blows were precise, calculated. He didn't rely on brute force, but on exploiting Barry's vulnerabilities, the tiny fractions of hesitation that even the fastest reflexes couldn't overcome. He delivered blows that aimed to destabilize, to disrupt the delicate harmony of Barry's speedforce.
“You think you can stop me? I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Barry, however, was relentless. He refused to be pushed. He didn't just defend himself; he had to do this for Iris. He had to save her. he sought an opening, a moment of weakness to exploit. He knew that Cobalt Blue’s rage, while formidable, was also a weakness. And it was…Iris. He knew that Eddie still cared about her. That's why he was manipulated by negative speed force, to be it's avatar in exchange of getting Iris. It was a fire that could consume him from within.
“Eddie, you’re done. You’ve hurt Iris. Think about it, the woman you loved years ago, you hurt her, you tried to break her. You tried to kill her and end her existence from all over the universe just to take her away from me. You have tortured her enough. I won’t let you keep doing it.”

Eddie’s features tensed for a second and then his smile widens, eyes glinting with malice.

“You think I would be swayed like this Flash? I will beat you where it's gonna hurt you most. You’re just a speedster—fast, yes. But you’re naive if you think that makes you invincible. See that”
With that cobalt threw Barry backwards throwing a blast at him.

The next instant he was there with Iris, who struggled against him as he held her tightly in front of me, as if making a show of possessing her
“Barry!!!…” she shouted.
“Get this Flash, I always get what I want. And this time i want her to be mine.”

Barry saw red. Pure unfiltered anger and rage flashed in his eyes as he saw him holding Iris in a brutal way. Barry channeled the full force of his speedforce, creating a vortex of pure energy.
“Aghhhh….”
that momentarily overwhelmed Cobalt Blue. Flash quickly pulled Iris in his arms at the same time he leveraged the surge of energy to unleash a devastating blow, striking a critical nerve in Cobalt Blue's controlled rage.

“ You’ve crossed every line!. You are a pathetic hollow replica of a man you once were. A monster, an imposter. I’ll make sure you pay for what you’ve done to us.” Barry spat angrily with Iris in his arms.

Cobalt Blue, reeling from the unexpected blow, stumbled in the ground
Iris was shivering and crying in Barry's arms.

The clash between Nora and Joe was a battle of wills, a clash of light and shadow. Joe West’s negative Speed Force was a vortex of despair, sucking away the very life force from Nora’s powers. His attacks were jagged, unpredictable, twisting and contorting the very space around them. He aimed to break speed force Nora's spirit, to drain her of her resolve.
Nora, however, was unyielding. She fought not just with her speed, but with her unwavering belief in the power of hope. She channeled the energy of love shared between Barry and Iris, the strength of every positive emotion she could summon from them, fueling her own Speed Force. She channeled their love, their resilience, turning the very darkness Joe wielded against him.

Drawing on the collective strength unleashed a wave of pure light that momentarily shattered the oppressive shadow negative speedforce had woven around her. This surge of positive energy, fueled by hope and love, pushed back the negative Speed Force, giving Nora the upper hand.

Negative speed force, facing the overwhelming force of Nora's positive Speedforce, was momentarily staggered. He fought back, but the sheer weight of Nora's resolve, the collective love she channeled, was too much. The negative Speed Force began to dissipate, leaving it vulnerable.

Cobalt glares at Iris with hate-filled eyes.
“This isn’t over, Iris. Not by a long shot.”
Barry's throat constricted and his jaw tightened.
Iris looked at him with disdain and sadness when Cobalt launched himself at Barry despite the unlimited pain he was experiencing.

Barry was ready as he fought back saving him and Iris. “i will never let you hurt her. This ends now” Barry, seizing the opportunity, delivered the final, decisive strike, shattering the illusion of control Cobalt Blue had maintained.

Cobalt struggled on the ground and tried to stand up but failed. He chuckled bitterly, a hollow sound that echoed in the tense silence. “You think you’ve won, Flash? I’m already dead. You can’t kill me again.”
Barry’s eyes flickered with pain and resolve. “I wish I could kill you,” he said softly, voice trembling with restraint. “But I made a promise to the woman I love. I promised her that I wouldn’t cross that line.” Iris turns her head to look at him, her eyes softening. Barry continues “Because if I did, I wouldn’t be her hero anymore... I wouldn’t be the man she believes in. I wouldn't be a hero to the people who look up to me. I wouldn't be the Flash.”

Cobalt blue heaved a heavy sigh, a faint trace of mockery lingering in his voice. “Remember what you said, Iris. You once called me your hero.”

Iris wiped her tears, her voice trembling but steady. “You’re not the same Eddie. That Eddie died the moment you let the darkness consume you. And no, you were never my hero. A hero doesn’t hurt someone they claim to love, they claim to care about. There are a lot of differences between you and Barry, Eddie. But the most important one is,...that he loves me but he would never hurt me to achieve me. Never manipulate or darken his soul just to hold onto me…. unlike you.”

Barry could see when Eddie’s eyes flickered with pain, as if Iris’s words struck a blow deeper than any physical wound. “Negative Speed Force twisted your mind—corrupted your sense of reality. But even if you weren't cobalt blue,...I’d still chose Barry. He is the one who actually is my hero.”

Barry spoke next. “You don’t care about her, Eddie. She’s just an obsession to you—a prize you think you can claim because the Negative Speed Force told you so. But she doesn’t belong with you..or with negative side. She is the truth. She is the light. And you are all lies, wrapped in nothing but darkness. She is hope, you are destruction. She is forgiveness, you are resentment.” He says with finality. “She is love. And you are.. hate.

Cobalt growled angrily. “This isn’t the last chapter. I will come back for her. Stronger, smarter. And next time, you won’t be so lucky Iris. You’re just like everyone else—weak, fragile. But I see through you, Iris. I always have.’
“Remember, love—you can’t run from your destiny. And I’ll be waiting.”
He said and then disappeared.

Barry took a deep breath and looked at Iris. She closed her eyes when tears slipped from them. Barry gently wiped her tears and pulled her in his arms.

“I love you Barry.” she mumbles in his chest.
“I love you more.”

Both fights ended with a resounding crack. The defeat was not a simple victory. The fight left scars, both physical and emotional, but Barry and Iris, and speedforce emerged victorious. The battle had tested them, but their love, their determination, had prevailed.
Speedforce Nora approached Barry and Iris and smiled proudly. “I knew we could do it. And we did. Its all because of you both.”

“Thankyou for coming back.” Barry expressed gratitude to her. “What happened..?”
“Yeah, I will tell you both all of that eventually. It's a long story. But first you guys should go back to Earth. Everyone must be waiting for you.”

Barry turned to Iris, and realised she was quiet all of a sudden. “Iris..”
She turned to him a bit tensely. “He is gonna come back Barry, they are gonna come back. Negative speedforce is..” she stopped herself and exhaled.
Barry looked at her with anguish.

Speedforce spoke. “She is right Barry. It's not the end. Negative speed force is still out there. Its an entity. For the balance, it cannot permanently die and neither cobalt blue. But you don't have to worry Iris. They are not invincible. They lost. And they would nerve try to hurt you again, they can't even try to threaten your existence, i had made sure of that. Whatever they did this time with you, it won't happen again. And if they come back, they are going to lose again. Because Flash is stronger now. And he is even stronger with you by his side. And I promise I will do everything in my power to stop them.”

A gentle smile spread across Iris’s face at she looked at her, the weight of her burdens lifting just a little. “Thankyou.”
Speedforce smiled at the pair and got them all out of the negative speedforce void, the thick cloud which was slowly disappearing anyway. They came to a stop in the positive speedforce. A calm atmosphere unlike the negative.

Barry, relieved, turned at Iris. “Let's go?”
“Yeah..” she smiled back.

Barry lifted Iris up in his arms and after giving a small nod to speedforce, starts running.

The Speed Force observed silently, the eternal keeper of answers, its gaze fixed on the speedster running with his wife. Speedforce remembered the sacrificed of not only all those Irises, but all those Barry’s who had to lose each other, who had give up their everything so that this Barry and Iris could live. Though speedforce felt no emotions—only the cold logic of its nature, but times like this moment (which are rare), it couldn't help being guilty, aware of its role of being a manipulator. Using Barry and Iris’s love and connection to manipulate them and ask them to sacrifice themselves to save another version of Barry and Iris, it's dark. But it's for the greater good.

With a subtle motion, its hand reached out, and a luminous, round window materialized before it—a portal into time. Peering through the shimmering surface, it watched the three Barry’s—each one anguished, desperate, tears streaming down their faces as they mourned the loss of their Irises.

Yes, this is not the end.. in more ways than one.

Chapter Text

The entire bathroom was shrouded in thick steam and lingering moisture, transforming the space into a hazy, ethereal fog. The only sounds breaking the silence were the faint hiss of the hot water against the floor and the soft pants and grunts coming from inside the shower.

Iris was leaning completely on the glass wall of the shower with her hands splayed on either side as her husband kept giving her stroke after delicious stroke from behind. He grunts loudly, feeling himself hardening even more. Iris wrapped one hand around his neck encouraging his movements.

He gave her a deep thrust allowing their bodies time to relax and then again pulled out.

“Barry....”

She turned around and faced him. He gazed at her lovingly and bent down, brushing his lips against hers. Of course the kiss had to intensity the way he was feeling her body, being naked like this. Finding her drenched and beautiful, he couldn't control himself. She sucked on his bottom lip before he moved to her jaw and bent down, lifting her by her thighs. Iris felt secure in his strong arms and clutched him tightly wrapping her legs around his waist. And that was the cue for Barry.

As he was kissing her breasts, suckling her nipples, he lifted her some more and entered her again. They emitted out a joint moan at the action. They both were lost in the delicious friction, rubbing against each other. His cock fitted in her entrance, Barry started moving her up and down on his shaft and Iris felt herself completely stretched. They were both soaked and water droplets kept gliding down their bodies as their love making turned frantic and passionate.
Shower sex with Barry was usually wonderful because it stripped away her husband's inhibitions, making him bold and experimental.

But tonight was different. They both had been on the verge of losing each other. In fact they Had lost each other. Iris didn't even know for sure how she would get back to her Barry, bouncing between different timelines. So it was entirely difficult, even impossible for them to not get lost in each other's bodies after coming back, to not reunite to solidify their connection once again.

Behind his frantic thrusts, Iris could see the vulnerability in Barry's eyes, how much difficult this entire episode was for him too as it has been for her. Losing his family, his wife and sacrificing his own kids. She can't even imagine.

She searched his face and leaned forward kissing him, moaning loudly when he stroked that secret spot inside her. “Mm..uh..” they kept moving against each other.

he kissed her soundly. “God I love you so much…so much.” he pushed them both onto the wall and kept going.

Iris completely let go and fell on him as her release engulfed her. Barry held her securely and protectively. He slowed his movements but kept going feeling it deep in his heart how much he loved this woman. A few seconds later, he took a deep breath, emptying inside her.

Iris pulled away and smiled at him. “It was the best.”

Barry pecked her closed eyes. “You are the best.”

One day before

As everyone at STAR Labs watched, a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the room. Moments later, the Scarlet Speedster skidded to a halt, Iris West-Allen safely in his arms. Cisco, Chester, everyone in the room collectively gasped, their faces breaking into wide smiles at the sight of the couple.

"Baby girl..." Joe West's voice was thick with emotion, his eyes welling up with tears as he looked at his daughter.

Now on her feet, Iris slowly walked toward her father. "Dad..." she said softly.

Joe pulled her into a tight hug, holding her close as if to confirm she was truly there after having feared losing her for good. "You came back. Thank God you both are okay, Iris," he whispered, pressing a sweet kiss to her forehead.
Joe released her and then pulled Barry into a fierce embrace. "I was so worried about both of you."

Barry grinned, and Joe then wrapped both of them in a warm, family hug.
"Man, I knew you guys would find a way to come back," Cisco said, grinning widely.

Jay Garrick smiled. “Great job Flash. How did you save her, and how did you find her?”

Barry looked at Iris, a sad smile on his face. They shared a look, a silent understanding of the grueling ordeal they had just endured. The ultimate test of their lives and their bond that only they knew the depths of.

After everyone finished their takeout in the Star Labs lounge, they decided to give the tired couple some privacy so they could rest.
“You guys should go and rest now. We’ll handle the cleanup,” Chester said.

“Yep, we’ve got it,” Cisco added with a smile.
Barry nodded. “Thanks, guys.”

Jay and Joan Garrick had already left, so now it was just Cisco, Chester, Joe, Barry, and Iris. Mark and Caitlin still hadn’t come back from their honeymoon.
“I think I’ll head out too,” Joe said.

“Yeah dad. Cecile must be waiting for you.” Iris responded.
Joe frowned. “Uh..why would Cecile be waiting for me in MY home?”
Barry and Iris exchanged confused glance. “um.. is ..she not at home?” Barry inquired.

Joe shook his head. “Its been years since Cecile has been a part of my life..what are you….?”
Barry's eyes widened.

Iris shook her head. “Wait..dad -”
Barry discreetly held Iris's wrist stopping her from saying anything further.
She looked at him and then expressed, rubbing her forehead. “Nothing, we are just tired ,you know…so many timelines.. i have seen so many realities that I …” she took a deep breath remembering the events.

Joe looked at her with concern. “Oh baby girl..I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. “ He turned to Barry. “Barry take her home ok.”
Cisco frowned thinking of something.
Barry nodded.

After Joe left. Cisco spoke all of a sudden. “Ok you guys, what is it actually? I mean Joe and Cecile just dated for a year after that they went their separate ways when Joe realised he didn't need a relationship to live his life and Cecile went to live with her daughter. That was four years ago. You really don't remember all this?”
Iris covered her shocked expressions.

Barry let out before swallowing. “The timeline is changed Cisco.”

“Whoa..you mean..”
“Cecile was still Joe’s girlfriend and she knew about me, being in star labs and everything.”

“No..” chester was shocked.
“Please don't tell him that…please.”

“What else is changed?”
“Is Mark and caitln..?” Iris dreaded before asking.

“Yeah they are still on their honeymoon..”
She sighed. “Ok.”

“Allegra?”
“Allegra who?” Chester asked. “Allegra Garcia? She is your employee Iris, right?”

“Yeah..she is not a metahuman? And she doesn't know about Barry being the Flash?”

“uh...no she wasn't. And why would she? did you tell her his identity?”
“That means she doesn't?”

“No. She is just your staff writer i think.”
Barry shook his head. “And you and …um, you are still in ARGUS?”

“Well knowing that now you have Wally and Jay with you..I can focus on my day job in ARGUS. Cynthia and I are happy there.”
Barry looked at Iris and controlled his shock. Iris also realised how Kamilla wasn't in the picture now.
“You said Wally? Is he back?”

“No yet, but he will be soon. You guys said last you saw him he was on excursion with his friends Dick Grayson and Max mercury, right?”
“Oh yeah..I..I remember.” Barry said.

“Great, so now you remember everything right?” He raised his brows. “No more changes to the timeline?”
“No. Everything is fine.”

Barry reached out to the Speed Force to inquire about the recent changes in the timeline. The Speed Force responded that, for the greater good, sacrifices are sometimes necessary. Small alterations to the timeline come at a minimal cost—they are a small price to pay compared to the destruction of the world and the imbalance it causes. Him and Iris were important part of this universe, important to the speed force. The collateral damage to save them and ensure their existence is unfortunate but necessary.

Barry struggled to accept this, grappling with the ache of having once again altered his friends’ lives. It wasn’t exactly like the Flashpoint, but it felt similar. The guilt weighed heavily on him, the same as before. Only Iris truly understood what he was going through; she was experiencing the same pain. She felt more guilty than him and he tried his best to keep her from drowning in self-hate. No it wasn't her fault.

It took a couple of days to come to terms with it, but through their mutual support and love, Barry and Iris decided to move forward, leaving the past behind.
One thing Barry was certain of was: unlike during Flashpoint, if given the chance to choose again, he would make the same decision. He wouldn’t care if the timeline altered, as long as Iris’s life was safe. Which as a hero, is questionable but he can't help it.

Whatever they had been through from the time Iris disappeared until now, they decided to forget it. They both were their own therapy. Losing Iris changed something in Barry. Especially losing her this time. Because this time she would be gone forever from every timeline, earth or universe. Her entire existence which was the reason of his own existence would’ve been gone. But now that they prevented that, he promised that he would never let her be away from him. That's why Barry was extra clingy, extra protective toward her.

Present:

“Yeah Captain. We are set for tomorrow...Mm..hm .. Kid Flash is the one to be thanked for. If he hadn't come on time, the tidal wave would have hit the city far worse than one would've expected.” Barry said on the phone. “Yeah..yeah i know. ...He was. Yes... Ok, we will contact him, sure.”

Barry watched as Iris slowly emerged from the bedroom toward him. He grinned. “Guess what? Kid flash is gonna be rewarded by the mayor. Wally’s going to be surprised when we tell him.”
Iris returned his smile. “Wow. Thats amazing. But our Zen-z guy doesn't get impressed by these things anymore.”

“Thats right.” he chuckled at her joke.
A sudden hush fell over Iris. She swallowed hard, her expression turning quiet and uncertain. She began to fidget, and Barry noticed.
“Hey, Iris what's wrong?”

“Barry..” she whispered, getting nervous.
Barry immediately stepped closer, gently taking her arms in his hands.. “Hey, hey.. are you ok? what's going on baby?”

Tears welled up as she looked down for a moment before finally meeting Barry’s gaze. “Barry..i don't know how this happened when you…I'm pregnant Barry.” she smiled

Confusion flickered across Barry’s face at first, not fully processing her words. Then, his eyes widened in realization, and a broad grin broke across his face. “What? Iris, for real? You are..you are?” He cupped her face softly. “You are pregnant? We are gonna have a baby..”

She nodded smiling and he pulled her in his arms. “Oh my god.. I'm so happy..Iris” he pulled away. “Are you ok? You are not… it's not uncomfortable right?” He asked with concern.
“I'm ok Barry..”

Barry laughed and lifted her off her feet in his arms.
“Ah..Barry.”
“I love you so much.” He kissed her softly. A mixture of joy and disbelief washed over him as he stared into her eyes, their future suddenly brighter than ever.
“I love you too.”

He placed her on the couch, sitting next to her.
“But Barry, how is that possible? You said that we won't ever have kids because you had sacrificed them to save me.”

Barry shook his head. “I'm confused too Iris. Speedforce literally asked for this sacrifice. To break our connection with them.”

“Is there something wrong , something we should be worried for ?”
“No.. everything is going to be fine. I ...I have to talk to the speedforce.”

Barry goes to the centre of the room and closed his eyes calling the speedforce. The lightning danced around his body as Iris watched.
A couple of seconds later, speedforce stood in front of him.

“What's wrong?” It asked.
Barry looked at his wife and responded. “Iris is pregnant.”
Speedforce turned to Iris with a knowing look. “Congratulations.”

“But how is that possible? I mean I sacrificed Bart and Nora. You severed their connection with us, so..I don't..?

Speedforce smiled darkly.

“I told you Barry and Iris. Some sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. If not yours then someone else's.”
Barry and Iris glanced at each other more confused. “Whose sacrifice exactly?”

“The reason you are able to have kids now is because of the sacrifice of those Irises who were lost in time.”

Barry and Iris's eyes widened.

“those three ladies sacrificed themselves and their babies too to save you both. To save the universe. To save us.”
Iris whispered with tears in her eyes. “What?”

“They were dying anyway. You were the real ones who get to live. They wouldn't have. One of the Iris even had a 3-4 yrs old Nora west Allen.”

Iris put her hand on her mouth in shock.

Barry eyed her and asked. “What about those Barry’s?”

“Well all those Barry's were devastated, completely destroyed losing their Irises in their respective timelines. They stopped living, gave up on everything. So to lessen their pain, I let them go too to their respective Irises. They will be reunited in the after-life.”
Speedforce turned to them. Barry and Iris stood there frozen.

“Why are you so shocked? It's not the first time. Remember how many times you changed the timelines Barry. Remember flashpoint?"
Barry looked down and his shook his head.

Speedforce continued. "The previous one dies and a new one gets created. It used to happen like that,didn't it? Its the universe's laws. Whatever and you other speedsters ruined, i corrected that. No one is above the universe and it's laws.
Stop worrying. Keep living your lives with your family.”

When the speedforce left, Iris and Barry came closer to each other. An understanding in their eyes. That they will have to live now with all these changes and all the burdens.

“We have to live for them Iris.” He said.
She nodded. “Yeah.”

Barry pulled away and kissed her forehead. “I love you Iris, in every timeline, every universe, through the end of the world and back.”
“I love you too. And ...if given a choice, I would sacrifice everything for you too.”
“I won't let you.”

Ten months later:

“My sweet little Nora! Oh you are so cute. I just want to stay with you baby..” he says hovering over her crib and playing with her.
The child cooed and whimpered. “Aww..”

“Barry you are gonna be late for work. Come on, you can play with her in the evening.”
“Evening is so far away, Iris. I can't wait that long.” he pouted.

Iris rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, don't be a baby.”

“Hey, I don't want to be separated from you guys for that long.” he reasoned

“And what you gonna say to captain?”

“That I was...that Nora needed her father. And besides my juniors can handle for today?”

She sat on the bed next to the crib. “I have a feeling you will make the same excuse tomorrow.”

Nora started crying then.
“Oh…i think she is hungry.” Iris started to pick her up.

Barry spoke. “I will feed her.”

“Unless you have lactating boobs.”Iris chuckled.

“Wait, you didn't pump the milk ?”

“I’ll have you know it's not as simple as it sounds, husband. I literally need your help during that process.”

Barry winced. “Sorry I should've helped you.”

Iris shook her head fondly. “It's ok babe. Ok now listen, just go to work. And Nora and I we will facetime you every hour so that you don't miss her so much. Right Nora?”

Barry sighed. “I already miss you guys. You promise though?”

“Pinky promise. Here.” Iris gave Nora to Barry one last time.

“Heyy.." he whispered softly at Nora. "..daddy is not going anywhere Nora. He will talk to you every hour and then we will play in the evening.”
To that Nora smiled suddenly. Nora had started during it occasionally for a few days.

Barry gasped. “She smiled at me Iris. Did you see?”
Iris laughed. “Yeah she did.”
“Aww..” Barry kissed her cheek sweetly. “I love you baby.” And then placed her in Iris's arms.

Iris secured the baby. And Barry kissed her too. “I love you babe.”
“Love you. See you in the evening.”

“FaceTime.. remember?” He says leaving through the door.
“Every hour.” She smiled and gestured with her hand,making a promise.