Be Your Hero - Barry Allen/The Flash (Book 1)

Welcome Home!

Barry's POV.

Barry stood outside of the prison gate. He felt like a little boy waiting for his dad to come home. Barry saw his dad walking up to the gate with a bag. There was a loud buzz and then the gate slid open. Barry bounced slightly on his feet, trying to contain himself. As his dad walked out.

Barry and his dad embraced tightly. Barry hadn't felt this happy in years. He finally had his dad back! They pulled apart and his dad put his hand on Barry's shoulder. "Lets hey outta here." Barry smiled. "I'll raise ya." His dad smiled and joked. Barry laughed, knowing his dad knew. He put his arm around his fathers shoulder and began to walk to the car. "You will loose." Barry assured him. His dad laughed.

Barry and his talked the whole car ride back to the West house. When they opened the door Barry watched his dad's face. All Barry's friends were there. No. His family was there. Everyone yelled happily . "Welcome home!" They all clapped. His dad smiled and laughed. Barry watched as his dad hugged Joe and greeted everyone.

The whole party Barry couldn't contain his joy. After having cake, when everyone was standing around talking. Barry went over to his dad who was talking to Stein's wife. Barry leaned his head on his dad's shoulder for a moment. He had missed him so much.

Later Joe ended up giving Cisco a badge and he freaked out. That's all he had talked about for days now. Finally Stein clinked a wine glass. "Gather around everyone, please." Everyone stopped what they were doing and walked over to Stein.

"Looking at all of you. Thinking of how far we've all come. And remembering those who are no longer with us. I'm reminded of a Hebrew word that is used in graduations. Kadima (I don't know if I spelled it right sorry.) I means forward." Stein raised his glass. "Forward." Joe, Iris, Cisco, Caitlin, Barry's dad and Barry all reappeared one at a time. "Forward." They clinked There glasses together.

Just then his Dad cleared his throat and turned away. "You good?" Barry asked. "Yeah. Stuff goes to your head after being away from to for fourteen years." Barry smiled. "I'll bet. Alright, well look. What if in the morning the two of us start liking for an apartment? Iris has actually been doing some research on how to get your medical license back. I mean if you wanted to I don't know start your practice up again or come work at STAR Labs with us." His dad smiled uncomfortably. Barry noticed. "What wrong? You okay?" He asked.

"Come on. It's a party we can talk about all this stuff tomorrow." His dad smiled. Barry's looked at his dad in confusion. "We can talk about what?" "Barry. . ." Barry could tell by his dads expression why he was avoiding the subject. "Are you not. . .planning on stckin' around?" Barry asked.

Barry's dad stared at him. "Okay. Okay. Do you think. . .Can you be all that you are becoming with me here?" His dad asked. Barry honestly didn't care. He breathed a laugh and looked around. This wasn't happening. Tears began to fill his eyes. He looked back to his dad. "Your the only family that I have left." He told him. "Well that's not really true is it? Don't you have another family in this room, Barry?" Barry knew it was true and nodded. "They need your help to, Barry."

Barry opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off my his dad holding his shoulders. "When you need me I will be here, but right now Central City doesn't need you to be Henry Allen's son. It needs you to be the Flash." Barry fought tears. Henry was right. He had a responsibility, but why did he have to leave again? "My kid. The superhero." Barry's dad said.

He released Barry and looked him in the eye. "I have to go. I need you to tell me that it's okay." Barry hesitated, but knew what he had to do. He nodded and whispered yeah. His dad smiled proudly at him and enveloped Barry into a hug. Barry never wanted to let go. Tears filled Barry's eyes and a few dropped onto his dads shirt.

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The next day Barry dropped his dad off at the station. He ran back to STAR Labs and was met by Joe. "Your dad get off okay?" Barry nodded sadly. "Yeah, I just dropped him off at the station." Joe looked at Barry. "You okay?" He started to nod, but shook his head. "I don't know. I mean. It just feels like every time I win I still loose."

"Well. . ." Joe reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold skeleton key. The key to Central City. Barry smiled and took it. "It's not bad." Joe smiled. Barry looked at it and remembered how warm his heart had felt when he saw all those people there believing in him. "No. No it's not bad. It's pretty cool." He laughed and held it up. "It's real cool! Come on."

Barry followed Joe into the lab. "Hey!" Caitlin smiled. "Hey guess what? I added a little upgrade to your suit." Barry looked over to his suit. The emblem was now white with a gold lightning bolt. He laughed. "It's just the one from the future newspaper Gideon showed us. I was thinking you know. Shouldn't fear the future anymore right?" Cisco smiled. "No. And it will here faster than we think." Barry agreed.
"I like it. The lightning definitely pops more against the white." Stein mused.

"And STAR Labs is now sadder than ever. Increased security and surveillance." "Re-coded, double-fire walled electronic locks.Nothing is getting through here without us knowing." Cisco said. Barry smiled. "So people can't just waltz in and out of here." Iris added. "Exactly." Cisco said proudly.

Suddenly Caitlin gasped. Barry looked up to see a man walking in the door way. Cisco turned around and saw him. "For real?!" He exclaimed. Joe pointed his gun at the man. "Stay where you are." "Who are you?" Barry asked with authority. "You don't know me, but I know you, Barry Allen." "

Take one more step, it'll be the last step you take. The man asked you a question. Who are you?" Joe asked. Barry watched, getting ready to run at him if necessary. The man stepped into the light. "My names Jay Garrick and your world is in danger."