Chapter Text
Barry needed to be sure needed to know that this timeline that foretold his disappearance pertained to all of the earths and not just his own. Because if it wasn’t multiversally true than maybe this crisis could be averted. Maybe he could catch a break. Barry grabbed a breach devise and steeled himself for the journey to another earth. He chooses earth-6 because in terms of makeup and history it was the one most similar to earth-1. If the timelines are consistent across the multiverse Barry would have to make peace with his fate and prepare his team for what was to come next, a world where he wasn’t there to lead them. “Well here goes nothing.” Barry whispered into the empty space of the speed lab.
The bright blue swirl of interdimensional energy opened up before him and Barry step into it and through to the other side. Barry shook his head and struggled to reorient himself as he found himself in a room a mirror image of the one he had just left. Though the room was missing key aspects of the speed lab, like the track that looped around the room on the upper floor. If it weren’t for that and he didn’t know better he would have thought that he hadn’t left home at all. There was a bustle of people in the corridor and Barry prepared himself to have to speed out of the building. A young indian woman dressed professionally and in a lab coat walked into the room and made for a side closest. She began rummaging inside looking for something. She was holding a clipboard and cursed to herself softly. She made a frustrated motion of pushing her rimless glasses up a slender nose as she turned in a half circle. At that moment her eyes caught sight of Barry.
She let out a little shriek of surprise
“Oh my god! Dr. Allen… I’m so sorry I had no idea that you were here. Dr. Snow hadn’t mentioned that you would be stopping by today.” The young scientist stammered out in a rush. Barry made a mental note of that. So he was a doctor here and apparently Caitlin still worked with star labs, good to know. Barry gave a winning smile to the flustered young woman.
“Hey, no it is honestly alright. I wanted it to be a surprise.” The woman nodded along in relief that she wasn’t in any trouble. “You wouldn’t happen to know where She is right now, would you?”
“Oh yes but of course.” Put at ease she returned Barry’s smile.
“Thank you.” He said.
“Yeah, I love surprises. That so sweet of you to take time out of your busy day to come down here.” She made for the door and made a beckoning motion. “If you’ll just follow me I can take you right to her.”
They fell into step as they walked towards what on his earth was the main control room and headquarters of team flash’s operation. As they walked they passed many other people; who he assumed must be other scientists and employees who also worked here. “There are so many people here.” Barry mumbled. The young woman who’s badge said was named Cindy Post let at a little chuckle.
“Well of course there are a lot of people here. Star Labs in one of the premier scientific research facilities in the nation. People fight tooth and nail to get in here. I was over the moon when I got accepted to complete my research for my doctorate here. Not only is it on the cutting edge of most everything to do with anything important in the scientific community. It is also a teaching institute, honestly, this place is like something out of a dream.” They entered the main hub at that point. The room was a brightly lit lab with many people and students milling about conducting and doing different analysis.
“And you know what my husband is always saying about dreams.” came a silky voice from off to the side of the room. “Dreams are just wishes until we put in the time. And I’d like to think we put in our fair share of time with this place.” Barry smiled as Caitlin crossed the room and came over to them. She then stopped in front of Barry and leaned up ad gave Him a kiss. The kiss was soft and quick, sweet in its familiarity as if this was something that happened all the time. He felt his eyes widen in silent shock and stifled a grunt of surprise. He recovered quickly taking a half step back and grabbing Caitlin by the shoulders tentatively.
“Hey Cait.” He said.
“Hey, honey.” She replied tenderly. Taking her in Barry noticed how Caitlin almost seemed to glow. She looked so happy here. Not that his Caitlin wasn’t happy but the past few years hadn’t been easy on any of them. “ I didn’t know you were dropping by today.”
Barry rushed to come up with a reply. “Yeah I wanted to surprise you. A break came up in my schedule, so I thought I’d stop on in.”
“Well I’m glad that Oliver could spare you for a bit. I’ve missed you and so have the kids.” That hit Barry in the gut like a ton of bricks. Not only was he married to one of his best friends here, they had kids.
“The kids,” was his strangled reply.
“Yes, Dawn and Don have been asking when Daddy was getting home. I know the work you and Ollie are doing is important but it has been a rough little bit. Your brother was going to pick them up after class today and you know how they love Wally but I bet a surprise visit from Dad wouldn’t go amiss either.” She said jovially. All Barry could do was nod.
Caitlin then turned to the Cindy and began talking to her. Cindy stated that she couldn’t find whatever it was that Caitlin had asked her to retrieve and Caitlin proceeded to give more direct directions to the location of the needed item. With the clarification Cindy was off and it was just Barry and Caitlin again. Well, Barry, Caitlin and the bustling staff and personal of star labs that they apparently ran together. Going to other earths was always a little trippy but this was like stepping to the twilight zone.