⊱ ──────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ──────── ⊰

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗘

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
pretending to be somebody else

⊱ ──────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ──────── ⊰

THOSE WHO KNEW about Dr. Wells' secret — aka Juliet, Joe, Cisco, Caitlin, and Eddie — all gathered in Joe's living room. Juliet sat on the arm of the armchair, absentmindedly moving some red energy between her fingertips.

"Where's Barry?" Eddie asked.

"He should be here any second," Joe answered. "I sent him out for—"

Barry then sped in, as if on cue, and set down multiple boxes of pizza on the table. "Pizza!"

"What?" Cisco exclaimed.

"From Coast City?" Eddie questioned.

"Supposedly the best in the west," Barry replied, shrugging off his jacket. He then turned to look at his girlfriend, smiling softly down at her. "Hey."

"Hi," Juliet responded, inclining her head a bit as he leaned down to kiss her gently.

"Why did I not think of this before?" Cisco inquired, opening a pizza box. "Come to papa."

Joe looked at the girl on the stairs and gestured to the pizza boxes. "Caitlin?"

Caitlin shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

Barry then handed a slice of pizza to Juliet. She gave him a gracious grin and took a bite as he grabbed a slice himself, settling himself down into the chair, his arm pressing up against her hips.

"Okay, six months of investigating Harrison Wells has led us nowhere, so we're going back to the beginning to see what we can find out," Joe announced.

"What does that mean?" Eddie asked.

"Road trip, baby," Cisco revealed, clinking his beer bottle against Joe's.

"Joe and Cisco are taking a trip to Starling City," Juliet explained.

"Starling City?" Caitlin repeated. "What for?"

"To investigate the car accident that Dr. Wells was in with Tess Morgan fifteen years ago," Joe said.

"I — I don't understand. Why?"

"Dr. McGee said that after Wells' accident, he became like a complete stranger," Barry stated. "Just a different person entirely."

"Because the love of his life died?" Caitlin suggested. "You of all people can understand how grief can change a person."

"Caitlin, we believe that Dr. Wells is the Reverse Flash and killed Barry's mother, and he may have done the same thing to Tess Morgan," Joe told her. "We have to learn everything we can about that night. See where it leads us."

Cisco looked at her. "Oh, um, can you cover for me with Dr. Wells?"

"You mean lie?" Caitlin questioned.

He stared at her. "Yeah . . . ?"

"I need some air."

Juliet frowned and stood up from the chair. "Cait, hey—"

It was no use. Caitlin had already opened up the door and left.

"Doesn't look like Caitlin's with us," Joe voiced.

Juliet sighed. "She's with us, it's just a little hard for her right now. Don't worry, Barry and I will talk to her."

Eddie looked at Joe. "What do you want us to do here?"

"Business as usual while we're gone," Joe replied.

"Copy that."

Barry took a step forwards, placing a hand on the small of Juliet's back. "Well, I want to wish you good luck over there, but I'm also scared of what you might find."

Joe pointed at him. "Scared is a good thing. Scared keeps us alive."

Juliet let out a deep breath and glanced up for a moment. Hopefully, they would find something that would help prove their point.

The next day, there was a new and interesting case at the CCPD. There was surveillance footage of a woman stealing from a bank, but in the interrogation room, the very same woman was crying and insisting that she didn't do it.

"No priors, not arrests, not even a speeding ticket," Eddie said as him, Juliet, and Barry walked down the stairs. "And everyone who knows this woman, coworkers, neighbors, say she's the kindest, nicest, most honest woman they've ever met."

"So, unless she woke up this morning and out of nowhere decided to become a criminal—" Barry began.

"Maybe we should be looking for a Metahuman."

Barry nodded. "Yeah."

"One that can control people's minds," Eddie added. "Coerce them into becoming thieves. Is that possible?"

Juliet raised an eyebrow. "Eddie, you do know who you're talking to, right? I literally have mind control."

"Oh. Right."

"Hi, Jules," Iris' voice stated, and Juliet turned, smiling softly as Iris approached them. "Hi, Barry."

"Hey," Barry responded.

Iris looked at Eddie for a moment, making Juliet shift uncomfortably. "Have you, um, seen my dad? Captain Singh says he took a couple of days off, and he hasn't been home."

"I didn't ask," Eddie admitted. "Apparently he's taking a couple of personal days. Like father, like daughter, I guess."

Juliet's head snapped over to look at Eddie in disbelief. Okay, maybe he was frustrated with her, but there was no reason to say that. Iris also stared at Eddie, hurt flashing across her features.

Eddie noticed the looks from Juliet and Iris. "I'm sorry. When are you coming home?"

"When it starts to feel like a home again," Iris answered. "Which Juliet's place does."

Iris then walked off. Juliet pointedly ignored Eddie's burning gaze on the side of her face and ran the J charm of her necklace back and forth on her chain.

"You better pray Joe and Cisco find something on Wells at that accident site, you two, because I am just about done lying to Iris," Eddie voiced. "About all of this."

Juliet crossed her arms. "You and me both." Eddie then went into the precinct, and Juliet looked up at Barry. "I made her pancakes this morning. She's not leaving any time soon."

Her and Barry then went to S.T.A.R. Labs so they could try and talk to Caitlin. Caitlin was sitting in the cortex when they entered, typing on one of the computers. Juliet held onto Barry's hand as they walked in.

"Good morning," Barry greeted, placing a cup of coffee in a S.T.A.R. Labs mug down.

"Hey," Caitlin responded.

"Hey, look, uh . . . can we talk about last night?"

Caitlin stood up. "There's nothing to talk about."

"But there is," Juliet insisted, following after Caitlin, forcing Barry to come along as well. "Trust me, I know how hard it is to try and understand after everything Dr. Wells has done for all of us, but Barry and I need you to see the truth."

"The truth? The truth is that he saved both of your lives multiple times."

"Look, I know, but if we're right about this—" Barry started to say.

"If, Barry, if," Caitlin stated. "And before I can believe any of this, I'm gonna need to see some proof."

"Proof?" Dr. Wells' voice repeated, and Juliet's eyes widened, turning around to see him there by the doorway to the medbay they were standing in. "Proof of what?"

Juliet glanced up at Barry for a moment when he gripped her hand a little tighter. "Oh. We might have another Metahuman case. Came up today at the CCPD."

"Ah. We are always happy to help the both of you, as you two know. Have you heard from Cisco? He hasn't arrived yet."

"Um, he has to help Dante, his brother," Caitlin revealed, keeping Cisco's promise of lying for him. "He might need a few days off."

"Ah, well," Dr. Wells said before rolling away.

Barry pulled his buzzing phone out of his pocket. "All right." He answered the phone. "Eddie." He paused for a moment. "J and I will be right there."

Juliet blinked as Barry hung up the phone. "We will be right where?"

"Call about someone selling the stolen jewelry from the bank last night. Eddie needs the Flash and Scarlet."

She sighed, giving Caitlin a tight smile. "Duty calls."

Juliet then teleported into her suit and then teleported over to where the bank was. She saw Eddie beaten up on the ground, surrounded by a briefcase that had the stolen jewelry spilling out of it. There was a guy sprinting away, and Juliet teleported to where he was going, landing right next to him while Barry sped in behind them.

"You can't outrun us," Barry told him.

"I won't have to," the guy replied.

He then stepped forwards, touching the arm of a girl who was standing there. Instantly, before Juliet's very eyes, the guy morphed into the girl. Juliet's eyes widened in shock. Well, that was new.

The guy — girl — whoever they were gave Juliet and Barry a two-fingered salute before heading off down the street. Juliet rushed forwards, but there was no sign of the girl — guy — whoever they were. She stood there hopelessly confused with Barry, their eyes scanning the street.

"Fuck," Juliet said, which pretty much summed up the entire situation.

They went back to S.T.A.R. Labs and got back into their regular clothes before telling Dr. Wells and Caitlin about what happened. Juliet stood with her arms crossed against the doorway to the medbay, watching as Barry paced around the cortex.

"A shape-shifter?" Caitlin inquired.

"Yeah, we literally saw a grown man, like, m-morph into a teenage girl," Barry announced.

"That's fascinating," Dr. Wells commented. "Today's physicists have always regarded programmable matter as nothing more than a theory, but I guess your shape-shifter proves it can be done."

"Wait, so he, or she, or I — whatever, this person can actually transform into anyone they touch?"

Dr. Wells stared at the computer screen. "Yes, it appears so. That includes you, Mr. Allen, and you, Ms. St. James."

"Dr. Wells is right," Caitlin agreed. "If you are touched while you're the Flash and Scarlet, and he transforms into either one of you, we run the risk of him exposing that Barry Allen and Juliet St. James are the people behind the masks."

"Because at this point we don't know if the shape-shifter is capable of absorbing more than just your physical characteristics."

Juliet's eyebrows knit in thought. "Wait, he might be able to copy my powers? Or Barry's speed?" She pointed at him. "That would be bad."

Dr. Wells nodded in agreement. "That would be bad."

"Got it," Barry cut in, raising his hands. "Hands off the Metahuman."

"Hands off the Metahuman."

"So how do we find someone who can transform into anyone?" Caitlin asked.

"Well, I guess like any problem, you just go back to the beginning," Dr. Wells voiced. "In this case, that would mean finding the first person the shape-shifter morphed into when they discovered their powers."

"Yeah, can you pull up the CCPD records of cases where the perpetrator plead innocent, even though they were caught on camera committing the crime?" Barry questioned.

Juliet pushed herself off of the wall and walked over to the row of computers. Barry joined her side, resting his hand on the small of her back, like he normally did.

"You're good, Barry Allen," Dr. Wells said. "You're very good." He typed for a moment. "Look at this. Multiple crimes of this manner, all dating back to a month after the Particle Accelerator explosion."

"What was the first one?" Juliet inquired.

Dr. Wells pulled up the record. "Jacob Fisher. A teller at the Federal Credit Union. Claims he was innocent, and was framed by his best friend, a Hannibal Bates."

Barry pulled on his jacket. "J and I'll pass this along to the CCPD, see if they can track him down."

"Good."

"Thank you, Dr. Wells."

"Always here to help, Barry," Dr. Wells stated.

Juliet's eyes caught on Caitlin's. She let out a quiet sigh and turned back around, accepting Barry's outstretched hand and lacing their fingers together.

Caitlin hadn't answered any of their texts or calls since they left S.T.A.R. Labs, which made Juliet had a not-so-great feeling in her stomach. Her and Barry had tracked Caitlin's cell phone, only to see that she was standing right outside the front door of Dr. Wells' house.

Juliet quickly teleported there and landed next to Caitlin. Right as the door opened, Juliet put her hands on Caitlin's shoulders and teleported her to a place much farther away. They landed on a deserted street, and Juliet dropped her hands, staring at Caitlin. Barry sped in next to Juliet.

"What — are you spying on me now?" Caitlin demanded.

"Caitlin, what were you doing at Wells' house?" Barry asked.

"I was gonna talk to him and get some answer of my own."

"Caitlin, you're a smart girl," Juliet insisted. "Even if you think we might be wrong, you know trying to talk to him is a stupid idea. You can't."

"Oh, so I'm just supposed to stand by and watch all of you ruin this man's life?" Caitlin exclaimed. "Ruin my life?"

Barry's eyebrows knit in confusion. "What are you talking about, your life?"

"Those nine months that you two were in a coma were the worst of my life. I lost my reputation, my fiancé, and through all of that, Harrison Wells stood by my side. He told me everything was going to be okay. If Dr. Wells is who you say he is, everything I've done since the minute I stepped foot in S.T.A.R. Labs has been a lie."

"Caitlin. If J and I are right about all of this, and you tell him what's been going on, I'll never be able to get my dad out of prison."

Caitlin sighed. "Barry."

"If not for us, just do it for him," Barry pleaded.

"I can't believe you're pulling the dad card. That's dirty pool, Barry."

"Just wait until Joe and Cisco are back," Juliet added. "Please."

Caitlin instantly nodded. Juliet gave her a small smile and held out her hands as an invitation. Caitlin took them, and Juliet teleported her back to Dr. Wells' house in a secluded spot so she could get her car and drive back home.

Juliet and Barry were then called by Eddie, who, after the report of Hannibal Bates to the CCPD, found where Hannibal Bates' grandmother lived. Eddie drove while Barry sat in the passenger seat and Juliet sat in the back. They pulled up outside of a cute-looking house and got out of the car. Juliet didn't even have to look to know that Barry had outstretched his hand to her, and she took it, still staring up at the house.

"Turns out Hannibal Bates hasn't been seen in well over a year," Eddie announced. "Only remaining relative is his grandmother. She took out a missing person's report a couple of days after the Jacob Fisher arrest. Figure we could ask her a few questions."

"Like why anyone in their family thought that naming a kid Hannibal wouldn't mean he'd grow up to become a criminal?" Barry suggested.

Juliet let out a small laugh. "Yeah, okay, Bartholomew."

"You said you thought my name was cute."

"I think all of you is cute, handsome."

Eddie shook his head fondly. "You two are so cute."

They then knocked on the door, and a cute little old lady answered the door. After explaining who they were and why they were there, the grandmother led them into her house.

"Have you heard from your grandson, Hannibal, recently, Mrs. Bates?" Barry inquired.

"Recently?" Mrs. Bates repeated.

"Uh-huh."

"No. Why do you ask?" She then gestured to her couch. "Oh, please."

However, the couch was extremely small and very old. Juliet did her best to contain her laughter as Eddie and Barry squished onto the couch, sitting very close together. She stood off to the side, ignoring the playful glare Barry was sending her way.

"Um . . ." Eddie trailed off. "Because, uh, you filed a missing person's report over a year ago."

"Oh, yes, I certainly did," Mrs. Bates said, sitting down in a chair of her own. "You'll have to forgive me, Detective. My memory is not quite as it used to be."

"Of course."

"Uh, neither apparently are my manners." She stood back up. "May I get you three something? Coffee, tea?"

Juliet gave her a small grin. "Oh, no, we're okay. But thank you."

"Oh, please," Mrs. Bates protested. "It'll only take a minute. It's nice to have visitors.

"Coffee'd be nice," Eddie voiced. "Thanks."

Mrs. Bates then walked off towards her kitchen. Barry and Eddie shared a glance before standing up awkwardly from the small couch. Juliet laughed but quickly covered it with her free hand. She then looked around the room, stumbling across a picture of Mrs. Bates and a boy. Juliet took the picture frame off of the mantle and stared at it for a second before looking up at Barry.

"Ma'am, would you happen to have a recent photograph of Hannibal?" Barry called. No response, and Juliet set the photograph back down. "Ma'am?" Barry peeked his head into the kitchen. "She's gone. J and I'll take the front."

Juliet and Barry then rushed off towards the front door, holding onto each other's hands tightly. Barry pulled out his phone and called Caitlin and Dr. Wells, putting his phone on speaker as they stopped on the sidewalk.

"Hey, we located Bates," Barry explained. "He was impersonating his grandma."

"Barry, Juliet, do not let him touch you," Dr. Wells instructed.

"Or let him see you use your super speed or your powers," Caitlin stated.

"How are we supposed to catch him, then?" Juliet asked.

"The old-fashioned way," Dr. Wells revealed. "Run like a normal person with no energy blasts."

Juliet sighed. "Well, that's no fucking fun."

Barry hung up his phone and tugged on Juliet's hand. Instantly, the two of them ran in sync down the street. Juliet felt her chest tighten and her legs muscles start to hurt — God, she hated running. She could hear commotion from somewhere, and her and Barry ran towards the source of it, trying to find them. They also heard police sirens and ran towards those.

And then there was a gunshot.

Juliet looked up at Barry with wide eyes. He took her waist in his arms and sped them in the direction of where the gunshot was. Juliet suddenly got put back on her feet, only to see Eddie kneeling beside a cop who was bleeding from a gunshot wound. Another cop was on the ground, also with a gunshot wound. She stared at the two in shock.

"Barry, Juliet, call nine-one-one," Eddie ordered.

Juliet pulled out her phone and dialed the number. However, another police car pulled up, and she averted her eyes from the bright red and blue lights.

So, in short, everything was fucked up.

Bates had shape-shifted into Eddie and had killed the two cops before running off. Bad news was that everything was caught on the dash-camera of the police car, which was pretty solid evidence for the police department, but really bad for Eddie. Juliet and Barry stood with Captain Singh in his office, along with Cecile Horton, the District Attorney. They were watching the footage from the dash-cam.

"What do you want us to do, Thawne?" the cop questioned on the video.

"Die," Eddie — Bates — answered, shooting the two cops before shooting the dash cam.

"I know what this looks like, Cecile," Captain Singh stated.

"It looks like one of your detectives shot two of your cops, both of whom are now fighting for their lives," Cecile replied.

"That's not what happened."

"David, I am the District Attorney. I can't ignore what I just watched because you want me to."

"We both know there are things going on in this city that can't be explained," Captain Singh protested, following after Cecile as she walked towards the door."

Cecile opened the door and stopped in the doorway. "Come on, David. Until you show me something incontrovertible, the best that I can do is promise to keep him out of gen pop at Iron Heights."

She then walked out of the office. Juliet let out a deep breath, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she stood at one of the windows in Captain Singh's office next to Barry.

"Do you have any way of explaining this, Allen, St. James?" Captain Singh inquired.

Barry nodded a little. "We're working on it."

They then left the office. However, a very frantic and distraught person immediately ran up to them, her chest heaving up and down in panic.

"Jules, Barry," Iris said.

"'Ris," Juliet said.

"What is going on? Everyone at CCPN is saying that Eddie shot two cops. How is that even possible?"

Juliet took Iris' hand, and Iris gripped it tight as Juliet led them over to a more secluded area of the precinct. "We don't know yet."

"You don't think he did this, do you?" Iris questioned.

"No, of course not," Barry answered.

"I need to see him."

"Hey, no," Juliet insisted, pulling Iris back to her by their hands. "They're not going to allow you to see him." Juliet let go of Iris' hand and placed her hands on her shoulders. "Listen, Barry and I are going to do everything we can to help him, okay?"

Barry nodded in agreement. "We promise."

Iris sobbed. "Okay."

She then basically fell into Juliet's arms. burying her head in her shoulder and clutching onto the back of her shoulders. Juliet sighed and wrapped her arms around Iris and held her tight, as if she was trying to keep all of Iris' broken pieces together.

"We're so sorry," Barry told her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Iris pulled back from Juliet. "It's gonna be okay."

"Okay," Iris let out.

"Like Barry said, we promise," Juliet added. "I love you."

Her and Barry then walked away from a very shattered Iris. Juliet didn't want to leave her, but they had to figure out someway to prove that Eddie was innocent.

〖 ϟ 〗

hello my loves! happy thanksgiving to those who celebrate! <3

I'm so so so thankful for all of you who read these stories, even if you manage to drive me to the point of insanity at times :)

also this book is so close to 100k! that's so crazy! my books are like my children I'm going to cry

gif by zcndayas!