The Impossible

41

"The rare ability to go back in time and right a wrong and save your mother's life..." Professor Stein started. 

This morning, Barry was rushing around. He seemed to be caring for me more than normal because of my burning stitches. I didn't complain much about the pain, but it was obvious of the pain I was in.

I still got up and tried to make myself look less like I got three hours of sleep. I curled my hair, put on some sort of makeup, but put some comfy clothes back on. I can play the part, but I'm not ready to dress nice yet.

Barry ran us over to S.T.A.R. Labs and explained what he talked to Wells about last night. He has the chance to travel back in time and save his mother. If I were him, I would've jumped on that opportunity immediately, but he's more heroic than I am. 

But with him changing the past, it would mean we would've never met.

"Quite the paradox Harrison has presented you with, Mr. Allen." Stein finished. I walked forward. I looked over at Barry, waiting to see what he had to say. He didn't say anything.

"The chance to be with someone you love? Your mother? It seems like the choice is obvious, Barry." I said. He picked his head up and looked over at me with wide eyes. He wasn't confused, he was taking in my opinion.

"At first thought, Miss. Brooks, it would appear so." Stein said, cutting our gaze. I looked over at the professor, listening to what he had to say. "But this is a huge risk. The night she died, you save your younger self from death. That changed history on the timeline you were already on." 

"So we're living in a parallel universe?" Cisco asked.

"It's like when I traveled back in time before," Barry added.

"He only changed one day that time," Joe said.

"Precisely. Now imagine fifteen years of complex experiences." Stein began, walking to the middle of the Cortex. "Every decision will change everything. New moments, new choices, and new relationships. Nothing would be as it is today. And you won't know the difference because you won't remember it." I looked over at Barry. He glanced at everyone except for me. 

"So if I save my mom, my dad doesn't go to prison." He looked over at Joe. "I don't live with Iris and Joe." Then his eyes caught mine. "I don't meet Aspen."

He was feeling guilty, but why should he? This isn't about me. Sure, I don't want to lose what we have, but he has a chance to get his mom back. If that means we don't get to be with each other, then so be it.

"You may never meet me. Caitlin. Or Ronnie," Cisco added. 

"There's no real way of knowing what your life will be," Stein added to the seriousness of this. He wasn't helping any of us. Barry looked over at Joe for an answer. Joe just shook his head.

"There's no choice, Barry," I said, causing the attention to draw to me. My eyes were watering, but I wasn't going to cry. It's just hard telling the person you love to forget about you. "You have to do this." 

"You got to change the past." Joe finished for me, grabbing his coat and walking out of the Cortex. We turned our heads toward him. Joe was upset, I could tell. But he was trying to be strong for Barry.

Barry walked out after Joe. I turned and looked at Caitlin. In this new timeline, we may never get to meet. She looked at me with sympathy. I don't know why, but I felt the need for a hug and I think she could sense that. She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me. I let go of her before I could get too emotional.

"I'm going to go get some coffee. Do you want anything?" I asked, sniffling to try and suppress anything.

"Yeah, I'll text you our order." I nodded, giving a small smile before walking toward the exit.