Flash Originally Made

 "As Good a Wells as Any."

The original name was even more of a pun because I needed to let myself know that this version of my True Harrison Wells story is better than most and unique. But obviously no one else would know that. So I chose a name that still sets this Wells apart but only from the other Dr. Harrison Wells of the show. There is something different about this edition of this story of mine and I don't want to forget that I need to keep it. But also, the main character Harrison Wells is himself as good__no worse than any...And better than most.

Earth 42 STAR Labs March 17th 2019

“Detective, how are you?” Harrison Wells said from the 'entryway' to STAR Labs.

“I'm alright, Dr. Wells, thank you. I was hoping I could enlist that huge science brain of yours to solve an annoyingly enigmatic case of mine, and catch a killer in the process.”

“Are you asking me because I'm a scientist or because I'm the biggest enigma you know?”

“Both actually. He is...one of the wild-world of weird cases we've been busy chasing down.”

“The reason you don't want Barry on the case taking down this particular bad guy with us?”

“The case is the murder of Nora Allen...Barry's mother.”

All calm and humor evaporated from Well's face. It actually took a few moments for him to speak again. “Why don't we get to the science-y part of this building. We've some things we need to discuss. Wells led Detective West into the anteroom of the facility he built. Within an hour Joe West and Harrison Wells were consumed with analyzing the physical evidence, and implications of a murder that had brought Joe's family together...and led to the Particle Accelerator and the meta-human hero known as the Flash.

“Is it possible that someone with Barry's abilities killed his mother?” Joe asked bluntly.

“Now we reach the core.” Harrison said coyly. “You want to know if my particle Accelerator had anything to do with creating this monster. Do I assume correctly you've had this notion in your head the entire time we've been talking?”

“I didn't believe Barry's story. For 14 years I thought Henry Allen was guilty, because I couldn't believe that sort of impossible even exists. But Barry does,stuff right out of the Twilight Zone is a weekly occurrence now. I have to consider the possibility it existed back then.”

“But my Particle Accelerator didn't.” Wells said pointedly. “Joe, someone or something impossible killed Nora Allen that night. He killed more than just Barry's family actually. And yes, my accelerator created the meta-humans we deal with on a daily basis. These freaks were my fault, I can't deny that; I haven't. But my work is not the only source of trouble for this city, and not every wild and weird story comes out of my experiments.” His voice took on a dangerous edge. “I'm fairly certain that monster had nothing to do with me, no one knew who I was yet.”

“The timing is more than a little suspicious don't you think?” Joe said is cold hard tone, openly challenging the genius who wormed his way into their lives without a word of his own origins.

A challenge that was met with a steely glare. “Ask the man in yellow for why he showed up when he did, outta the blue. He thinks for himself and changed the world overnight. Whatever drew him here, why we've never even seen him since...” Harrison Wells took a physical step back. “Yeah, the timing is less than coincidental. But if you're looking for explanations, I don't know the why...and as far as the how I'm as in the dark as you are.”

Detective Joe West stared at the normally unflappable man who had unraveled before him. There was not a lot that could rile a self-possessed, professionally restrained man like Harrison Wells. It was one of the reasons he'd felt safe coming to the man with his suspicions, that he knew sounded like accusations. Somehow Joe had a feeling that it was something way more personal than his rush to judgment that had animated him so completely.

“You've seen him too.” Detective West realized aloud.

“Once, 17 years ago now. He's why I moved to Central City in the first place. The night I saw him is why I created the foundations for STAR Labs when I did. What he took from me, is why it took 15 years to create the place.” Sinking into a desk chair Wells put his hands over his face. When he looked up, Joe was staring at him with an expression he'd never shown the man before: a look of compassion. “Joe, Barry doesn't know my story. He's been through enough trying to catch up with this creep. I know him well. The fact that my work caused more suffering and more monsters is something I live with. THIS monster, I want him and answers; as badly as you do. But I don't have them Joe. If your chasing the Man in Yellow, you cannot find a stronger ally than me. If you want answers about MY life story, look up Tess Morgan. More specifically, look up where she was December 21st 2002. Then decide if I have a good enough reason for keeping my past to myself.”

When Detective Joe West walked into the Cortex at precisely 7:03 pm that evening, he looked like he wanted to bury his head in a bag of potatoes. He didn't sit down, only tapped on the door-frame to signify his presence. Wells waved him in but did not verbally acknowledge his presence, until Joe placed a box of very expensive Irish Whiskey on the table.

“I take it you're not here to make more accusations.” Wells said briskly..

“Doctor Wells, I don't know what to say. I looked up Tess Morgan... I had no idea. I remember what you said about why you keep going, after such a 'spectacular public failure' as the accelerator. You wanted to adapt, evolve and tries to push through, but you weren't talking about Star Labs were you? You meant losing her, your wife.” Wells motioned for Joe to take the seat beside him. He didn't say anything. Because Joe wasn't done speaking. “Something must have created this monster, and the accelerator created a lot of them. I'm not trying to make excuses I hope you understand why I squirrel brained. Finding answers based on what information I have is in my job description, as a cop.”

“And finding answers to life's greatest mysteries is in mine; as a scientist.” Wells offered.

“I understand the need to understand everything Joe. Detectives who follow leads and geniuses who need answers both have a tendency of getting obsessed. I also understand this was personal for you. What little emotion I show in my daily life, I understand trying to keep your family safe.”

“And she was yours.”

“What took me almost 15 years working on my own, she and I together could have done in 5.”

“What was she like?”

“Strong, brilliant, had the most musical laugh. We were married to the work as much as to each-other. Making a facility like STAR Labs was something we were thinking about anyway, we just couldn't find a place to put down roots that wouldn't turn into a media-government circus if we ever got it up and running. When she died, I decided to move here. The best place I can think of to build our dream. Even if she could no longer see it. I later learned the car accident...wasn't an accident. Someone or something tried to kill me that day; I'm still not sure I even understand why. But while I survived, Tess...Tess didn't.”

“You're chasing him to.” Joe said stoically.

“Ironically enough I think if I ever meet the man I owe him a thank you. If I hadn't moved here, I wouldn't have had Cisco and Caitlyn on my team to help make that dream a reality... completely awesome friends to stand beside me when it fell down like a house of straw. And I wouldn't have been around to help Barry. Until the accelerator exploded Barry was the only person to believe in the impossible, I imagine he got teased for it quite a bit.”

“Yeah, and I was one of his most vocal critics.”

“ What you did with what you knew doesn't matter. Only what you do now that you know better.”

“I appreciate it.”

“And now because of my failed experiments, the world has a meta-human hero, a guardian angel for this city to help deal with the craziness inherit in life. Unless the man in yellow was messing with Tachyons there's no way he could have originated from something I...hadn't even built yet.”

“Okay...what's that look on your face?”

“Tachyons, little bits of time-travel. That is how he did it! Barry and I need to find this creep and kick his speedster ass back to the Renaissance. Failing that we need to train him, Barry I mean, to be the hero this city needs right now. Are you with me, Joe?”

“I am completely supportive of anything that shows the world a hero to look up to. And proud that that hero is my son. So just to confirm, we both know, that someone with Barry's abilities did exist back then. I don't have to convince YOU of Barry's otherwise insane story. Somehow it makes me feel a hell of a lot more comfortable trusting you.”

“Detective, I am asking if you can help the team be the heroes they naturally are...and let me tell them my story when I'm ready.”

“You have no idea how easily I can support you there.”

“...Thank you Joe.”

“Doctor Wells, can I talk with you for a minute?”

“I'm always here to help Barry, what's up?”

“You seem different, like something's weighing on your heart that wasn't there before. And if this is because of Ronnie...what happened to him.”

“Barry, Ronnie's death was a noble sacrifice and a freely given choice. I don't feel anything for him other than he should be an example we all aspire to emulate given the opportunity. But before he...the last conversation we had together was very different...and you know how people regret never having the chance to say things or 'take them back'. Because of his death, I will never get the chance to tell him I actually heard what he said!”

“Do you mind telling me what it is he DID say?”

“Ronnie found out my 'deep dark secret' and told me to stay away from you.” Wells replied as straight-forward as ever. “The people who died or were changed in the accelerator are my fault. Even if I couldn't have seen it coming. But there is one death that can be placed ENTIRELY at my front door. Ronnie discovered this and told me to stay away from you. Something I admire him for, he wanted to protect you. I can't help thinking he had a weird sort of a point. If keeping you safe really does mean keeping my distance. And if it does, I'll do it.”

“I'm the one who decides if I want you in my life Harrison. And I want you in my life. If you want to leave fine. But don't leave because someone who barely knows you-barely knew you- thought you didn't belong in a fellowship of heroes."

“Barry, I'm here as long as you need me. But if the day ever comes that I feel like I can no longer run from my past...I wanted you to know...”

Completely misunderstanding his hesitation, Barry put his hand on Harrison's shoulder. “I know Dr. Wells. I know.”