(no subject)

[captaincaveman]

Early in the morning, Barry was already at work at CCPD, Claire would be greeted with a knock at her door. Wells, in his classic black attire and black baseball cap to hide his face was standing at her door. He wasn't wearing his glasses and had the collar of his jacket popped to help conceal his face. In one hand he was holding a Jitters carton with two to-go cups of coffee.

Assuming she opened the door, the very first thing he did was raise his free hand in a show of surrender and say, "It's me, Harrison--or Harry, not... you know..."

Comments

[feelthelightning]

Jesse gave her a tight squeeze and Harry looked fondly at both of them. Even Caitlin had this proud mother look in her eyes. She loved her found family, and it just kept growing. And as fas as Jesse was concerned, they were sharing Harry as a dad.

Barry seemed to nearly glow when she kissed his cheek. He'd finished all five of his burgers and was just nursing a soda. But with Claire back in the room, he looked more complete.

"We were just talking about how Cisco is able to eat two triple triples almost as fast as Barr is able to wolf down five burgers and only one of them is a speedster." Joe said with a laugh. Cisco threw a gummy worm at him.

"Hey! I was starving!" Cisco defended then held out the bowl of gummy worms to Claire. "Worm? They taste great and make perfect projectiles!"

[infinite1ups]

Claire felt more settled back at Barry's side, and it showed. She stuck close, giggling at Cisco and Joe's antics, plucking one of the gummy worms from the bowl to nibble on.

"I probably would've devoured mine a lot faster if I hadn't been yapping," she laughed. "That place isn't messing around with extra pickles, I think I had nearly half my body weight in them."

Glancing back to the med lab at Jesse and Harry now, from a distance they reminded her even more of herself and Noah. "Y'know, I'd always wanted a sister. My brother and I have never been close. I hope he's found people like I found you guys."

[feelthelightning]

"Girl, you got a pickle problem." Cisco said with a laugh and popped another worm in his mouth. "You shoulda seen the guy at the counter's face when I asked for all those pickles. He thought it was a prank."

Barry pulled a chair right up next to his and gestured for her to sit with him.

"Jesse's a good kid. She's got a lot going on, just like the rest of these kids." Joe followed Claire's gaze. "Wells fell into our group, an angry, desperate father to save his daughter and the moment we brought her back, she was part of our surrogate family. It doesnt take long, Claire. It's probably because, fifteen years ago, Barr was thrust into my household without warning, so taking in family has just become second nature to all of us."

Cisco held up a gummy worm like he was toasting a cup. "Here, here!" He popped it in his mouth. "You're one of us now, Phoenix Down. Yo! We can call you Phoenix!" Cisco, stop naming people.

[infinite1ups]

"I am a pickle problem," she returned cheekily, settling into the chair next to Barry. Her arm leaned against his as she took his hand to hold.

"I was adopted, so I know family isn't all about blood. My brother and I both were adopted, actually, but... he has his reasons." Mostly that Claire's regeneration and the ensuing chaos had upended his entire life, and while it wasn't her fault, he still harbored a lot of resentment about it. She didn't blame him.

The rest of her group was spread out, and with varying degrees of closeness. Allies she'd picked up in the old days when her ability had first manifested, as well as new ones she'd made in her travels. She was even on better terms with her paternal grandmother, though she'd yet to meet her half-brothers, Simon and Monty. Neither of them had expressed interest, even after all these years, and she wasn't going to push things. She didn't mind respecting their wishes even if she was curious to get to know them. Then again, it was also possible they still didn't know they had a half-sister, she couldn't say for sure. Either way, she didn't see it as her place to impose herself on them.

"Phoenix," Claire repeated, thoughtful. It was a bittersweet train of thought, but fortunately it was more sweet than bitter, bringing out a smile. Sorry, Cisco, she doesn't get the Phoenix Down reference. "Considering my bio-mom and dad had the powers of fire and flight, respectively... kind of funny how well it fits. I like it. Just don't ask me to dress up like a bird."

"I *am* a pickle problem" Made me laugh!

[feelthelightning]

Barry snorted a laugh and held her hand tightly. He brought it to his lips to kiss her knuckles affectionately. "You're the best pickle problem." He said softly against he skin.

"Barr was put in my custody when Henry was wrongly arrested for the murder of Nora Allen. It was rough, but Henry wanted me to take him in. It's impossible to say no to that face." Joe gestured at Barry. He casually didn't admit that he was the one who arrested Henry for the murder of Nora and didn't believe Barry or Henry that he didn't do it. It took fifteen years and the appearance of the Flash before Joe even considered that maybe something was fishy about that murder. But it was Joe who put together that somehow, Dr. Wells was the Man in Yellow before everyone else. Then it was his turn to be on the side that no one believed. Because how could a paralysed philanthropist be a murderous speedster?

"Well, when he comes to his senses, he'll see how amazing his sister is." Joe said matter of factly.

"That settles it," Ciaco jumped out of his chair with so much force it spun and rolled until it collided with a wall. "I'm making you a suit!"

"Cisc--!" Barry tried but Cisco was already running down the curved hall to his lab. "...o." he sighed. "I guess you're getting a suit."

Exactly what I was going for! XD

[infinite1ups]

Barry's laugh was very quickly becoming one of her favorite sounds. She briefly let her head rest on his shoulder, a little bit of comfort for both of them. Yeah, she already knew all about not being able to say no to that face. He just had that way about him.

Claire's smile turned slightly bashful, and she waved her free hand almost dismissively. "Lyle's not an evolved human. He went through a lot because I am: missing school, missing sports, almost ruining his chances at college, our parents divorcing. He might never forgive me, and that's okay. I don't think it makes him a bad person, just someone who wants to move on with his life and be left out of all the craziness." Never mind that for most of it, she'd been a victim, too. Never mind that their parents had both worked at convincing them the divorce had nothing to do with either of their children.

"But thank you. I'm just extra glad to have all of you, now."

Cisco was up and going so suddenly that it took Claire a few seconds to realize what he'd said. "That's really not necessary!" she called after him, whether or not he could hear it.

She might even have gotten up to follow, but she was quickly distracted by a series of vibrations from the phone in her pocket. It was going off so much that it almost startled her - she'd nearly forgotten about the thing. Quickly, she pulled it out and frowned as she unlocked it.

"Aw, crap. I'd been texting my dad this morning before Harry came by. Then, y'know, everything happened. I got distracted. For all he knows I've dropped off the planet, and now he's freaking out," she explained as she scrolled through notifications for text messages, missed calls, and voicemails. "My uncle too, and my mom, and my grandmother?" Her eyes went wide, and she looked up at Barry and Joe.

"Uh... my dad's here. In Central City."

XD <3

[feelthelightning]

"When Wally came into the family it was... similar." Barry admitted. "He didn't know I was The Flash, but everyone else knew. He'd been living with his mother and Joe didn't know he even existed. Joe had a biological son this whole time that he'd never met, then Wally's mom died and he met the rest of his family and all they did was sing my praises. He felt... shut out and inferior. He was understandably upset and rejected Iris and Joe."

"Barr..." Joe started but Barry held up his free hand to stop him.

"I told them to remember that I'm still flawed like everyone else and to remember that when talking to Wally. He didn't need to like me, he needed to like Joe and Iris. Even when I gave Zoom my powers for Wally's life, I didn't tell him who I was. He didn't need that weight. Family is hard to figure out, but there's always a path. Lyle might still come around." Mr. Optimist reassured her.

Then Claire's phone started going off and Barry looked at her worriedly. "Shoot! Let them know you're okay. I can run us back to your place." It would be a risky run, but he'd protect her if he had another tumble. "People from Earth-2 vibrate at a more errat--"

"--HIGHER!" Harry yelled from the med lab.

"--at a higher frequency than the matter on this Earth, so they disrupt cell phone signals." Barry explained to Claire, unaware that she already knew.

[infinite1ups]

Barry's optimism was one of those things that made them just different enough to be interesting. Claire certainly had her fair share of sunshine and rainbows, but with some things, she tended to be more pessimistic. Realistic, she would say. His unyielding belief that things could get better, and the drive to work toward making things better - they were both things she sorely needed.

It was part of what had drawn her to Peter, even before she knew he was her uncle.

She gave Barry's hand a squeeze, even as her brow was furrowed with worry. It would be a risky run, and funny enough she had her own thoughts of breaking their fall rather than letting him do it. Regardless of the venom, she still healed faster, and she couldn't feel pain.

"I forgot to tell Dad about it. He knows about Meta-humans, but then I got nervous about throwing parallel Earths into the mix on top of it." Claire huffed a sigh, jabbing out a reply to her dad with one thumb. Just a simple "sorry I'm OK" that frankly looked a little pathetic after all of Noah's panicked texts.

Seconds later, her phone started buzzing again, somehow sounding even more insistent. She excused herself with a sheepish smile and answered. "Heyyyy, Daddy. Yeah, my phone was out of service for a bit, I forgot to warn you that's a thing that can happen here-- yes-- I know-- I'm safe, I promise. I'm with Barry and-- yeah, we're figuring that out now." She stopped and listened as Noah really got going with his lecture. It would be hard to make out exactly what he was saying through her phone's speaker, but he sounded both stern and worried.

"I'll text you the second I get home." Gosh, that felt good to say. Home. "Sorry, Dad." Her voice sounded smaller as she hung up, almost a little defeated. "Hoo boy. I haven't heard him like that since he first found me after I ran away."

She looked to Barry, trying not to look as worried as she felt, and failing. "If you think you can run us to my place safely, we can do that. Otherwise... we can figure something else out."

[feelthelightning]

Barry was known for his pep talks and his unwavering optimism. It was what made Oliver call him a guardian angel of Central City rather than a vigilante. It was when Barry needed a pep talk of his own that things were dire.

He watched her get up and answer her call from her dad, looking worried, only able to hear her side of the conversation. What he wouldn't give for Kara's hearing right now. Joe exchanged a look with Barry. He could guess how that conversation was going, because he'd had it with Barry before and they'd both seen Harry have it with Jesse when she ran away.

When she came back he nodded, getting up. "Yeah, I can." He assured.

"Or, I can drive you two home if you want." Joe offered.

Caitling stepped into the Cortex, having noticed the commotion. "I'll come by with Cisco later to pick up the STAR Labs van and drop off the prepped antidote, if that's okay?"

[infinite1ups]

Fortunately, Claire was pretty good at hyping up and pep-talking other people. You can take the girl out of the cheer uniform... but some of that S-P-I-R-I-T was still in her, especially when it came to supporting the people she loved.

"I'm fine with either option, though maybe it's best we don't risk you taking another spill," she said with a glance at Barry. "Thanks, Joe."

Caitlin caught her attention next, and she gave a nod. "Oh, yeah. That's totally fine. I put STAR Labs on the safe list with the security at my building, so they would've kept an eye on it." After hearing herself say that, she thought it might sound weird. "The Petrelli family took over management of my apartment building. My bio-dad's family."

Despite the urgency in her father's voice, Claire really was reluctant to leave. She'd been having a nice time, and she was eager to see the results from the newest bloodwork. "Sorry for the sudden departure, and hey. Just call or drop by if you need anything else from me. I'm sure once my dad sees me he'll calm down. Then again, with the new news I have, he might not." But the situation also felt a little silly, and she couldn't help but laugh. "Dang, it's almost like I'm getting caught out after curfew and I'm about to get grounded."

[feelthelightning]

"Don't worry, I'll always fire off a text before I come visit. And I'll be sure Cisco does the same before he or Harry drop in. And I do mean drop in. Harry's not allowed out of STAR Labs for a while unless he's escorted by someone who can get him out of danger either in a flash or a breach." Caitling said lightheartedly with a smile. "Cisco will breach into the hallway, not into your apartment, by the way. I thought I should clarify." She added quickly.

Joe got up and headed for the elevator. "I'll get the car started. You two lovebirds meet me down in the parking lot when you're ready. Barr, you gonna call Singh?"

"Uh, yeah!" Barry wrapped his arms around Claire and kissed her softly. "I probably can't do that in front of your dad, so I'm gonna get as many little kisses in as I can right now."

[infinite1ups]

"That all sounds good to me," Claire agreed. "Stinks for Harry, but I'll be here to visit him plenty, too." Besides, he likely wouldn't be too upset about his house arrest while Jesse was here on Earth-1, she figured.

"I can't say he'd get mad or anything, just that he probably won't be used to it." Her arms slipped around Barry in return, and she helped herself to another kiss. "And if you stay the night again, then you can kiss me all night." What better way to make them both take it easy than cuddle time?

[feelthelightning]

"Oh, believe me, I'm sticking by your side until I know you can heal without issue." Barry assured and stole another kiss. "I'll call my boss on the way to the apartment and get my leave set up."

Caitlin looked like she couldn't handle just how cute they were, with her arms held tightly in a hug across her chest, fists tucked under her chin, and bright smile on her face. "Go, you two."

[infinite1ups]

Caitlin's voice made Claire blush, because for a few seconds she had definitely forgotten about other people. She drew back and took Barry's hand, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, we probably shouldn't keep Joe waiting. Or my dad, for that matter. I told him I'd be home soon." And considering she hadn't actually made the drive on the way there, she couldn't hadn't thought to give him an estimation on how long it would take.

She quickly said her goodbyes, to Caitlin, and waving through the window at Harry and Jesse in the med lab. Cisco seemingly hadn't reemerged from his fashion design, but he'd get filled in on what happened, no doubt.

"Next time, I'll drive," she told Barry as she let him lead the way out of the lab. But then, her bus was highly recognizable, and she was pretty sure she'd told Thawne about it. Even if she hadn't, once he realized she was in Central City, it wouldn't be difficult to spot her ride. Shit. She might have to look into getting something else to drive, something that blended in better. Ugh, maybe a boring SUV, like her dad.

Claire would deal with that later. For now, she had things to look forward to so she was going to let herself bask in that on the way back to her apartment.

[feelthelightning]

Joe drove them back and Barry made the call to Singh. Arranging a week off for an emergency appendectomy, which seemed to go over just fine. Joe held in a chuckle until Barry hung up. Commenting that he would run out of organs to remove at this point. To which barry lamented that he knew and clearly felt guilty over it.

At Claire's apartment, Joe hugged Barry and offered an opened armed gesture to Claire for a hug too. If she wanted one. "You kids take care. Let me know wa soon as Caitlin gives you both a clean bill of health and don't you dare do anything stupid while you're both still sick, got it?"

[infinite1ups]

Claire had figured two or three days, at most. But a week? It worried her, made her think maybe she'd been too optimistic about how long it might take for the toxin to clear from their systems. She didn't let it show too much, instead tried to focus on how nice it was that they could have the extra time together.

Of course when Joe offered a hug, she happily took one. There was no such thing as too many dad hugs, as far as she was concerned. She pulled back with a grin, playfully waving a hand in dismissal. "Not gonna happen. I've never gotten to take sick time, ever. I think I might ham it up like we're staying home from school. Chicken noodle soup, some bad daytime TV, the whole nine."

After they dealt with her dad, anyway. Once Joe had left, she took a deep breath and texted Noah to let him know they were home. Then she set her phone down and scrubbed a hand over her face, sighing. "I know it'll all be alright once we explain what happened, but I'm still nervous."

[feelthelightning]

It wasn't so much that he thought they'd need all that time, but he'd rather have it and go back early than need it and not have it. Barry took her hand and walk the rest of the way up to her apartment when Joe left.

"I'm here with you." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "You should have heard Joe when he found out about my powers. I'd just woken up from a nine month coma, then he found out his foster son was putting himself in danger to stop super powered criminals that were brand new things to the city. He was furious. With me, with Wells for letting me, with Cait and Cisco for encouraging me. There was a lot of yelling."

[infinite1ups]

Her keys went up on the hook by the door after she let them in, then she kicked off her shoes. Barry's reassurance helped, as always.

"I don't think he'll be furious, just worried and a little disappointed that I wasn't more careful." So again, just like Harry. "But it'll be fine. There probably won't be any yelling."

She leaned up for a kiss. "So, I'm gonna explain the whole multiple Earths thing, and he already knows that Metas exist, but how much more do you want to tell him? It'll be okay if you wait to let him in on everything, he'll understand."

[feelthelightning]

Harry sure did have the disappointed dad look down to a science. Which has nothing at all to do with Tom having 4 kids. Pun intended.

Barry also left his shoes at the door, hoping her dad wasn't some keen observer who would notice something like the fact that his shoes looked brand new except had the wear and tear on the tread like they'd been worn for 5 years. The canvas material didn't even have creases in it yet. Just another curse of the Speedster lifestyle. This was why he had a special suit for The Flash. Not just to look Flashy.

"I mean, I don't wanna out Cisco, but I don't usually hide that I work with Metas. If... if it happens to look necessary to tell him about me being the Flash, you know that puts him in danger. But, him just being the Dad of my girlfriend puts him in danger." He admitted. "Is he better off knowing?" Barry was torn. Harry kept telling him the fewer people who knew, the safer he and the people in question were, but it seemed like they just had to be near him and nor know anything to be hurt. Like Patty.

[infinite1ups]

Noah Bennet was an observant man, but not to those extremes. At least not in a situation like this.

"Well," Claire began, "Dad's worked with and around evolved humans since before I was born. The more he knows, the more he can help. He taught me how to shoot, how to defend myself. He's always been the man with the plan."

There was an obvious fondness in the way she said that. She was proud of him, and she was proud to be his daughter.

"He already knows I'm in at least some danger, so he's going to want to know as much as possible, and what he can do about it. That's probably the biggest reason why he's coming. It's why he came early." She couldn't help laughing a little as she continued explaining, "When I stopped texting back, he thought I'd been attacked again. Which... I mean, he was right. He told me he didn't even fly - he had my uncle teleport to Arlington and collect him and bring him here. But I guess Peter went back to New York, so we don't have to worry about how his power might react with yours."

She took Barry's hand and kissed his knuckles. "Tell him what you feel comfortable with him knowing. We'll figure it out, we're a good team."

[feelthelightning]

Barry looped his other arm around her waist and tugged her close so they were flush together in a standing cuddle. "I want him to know I care about you. And I'll do anything to protect you." Which included forfeiting himself to Thawne for her. "I'll tell him."

He was glad Noah taught her to defend herself. Joe had done the same for Iris and he was pretty sure, without powers, Iris could kick his ass in a fight. So he didn't have to worry about his sister against normal aggressors.

[infinite1ups]

"Even if you only told him those first two things, that's exactly what he'd want to hear," she said with a grin, leaning her head against his chest. Though she would absolutely not want to hear anything about Barry forfeiting himself. There was no chance in hell that Claire would ever be okay with that.

It was nice that they had a moment to themselves before her dad got there. She was taking full advantage of the opportunity to sneak in a cuddle, content with the knowledge that there'd be more later. "He's going to love you, I guarantee it. Because I love you."

Almost as if on cue, there was a knock at the door.