In A Blink ? Barry Allen/The Flash

23.

Caitlin, Cisco, and Dr. Wells joined Barry as they watched Mardon bang on the glass. "I'm gonna break out of here. I'm gonna create a tidal wave that destroys Central City!" Mardon screamed through the glass.

Barry pulled off his mask as Cisco shut the barrier to the pipeline. "That's gotta be some kind of record," Cisco said with a huge grin as he pointed towards the doors with the stick of his lollipop.

Caitlin laughed at him and turned towards Barry, a proud smile evident on her face, "That's gotta be a new record." She turned to walk back into the Cortex following Cisco as he mumbled out loud, "Well, there goes my excuse for bailing on my brother's birthday."

Barry chuckled to himself, proud at what he had done, but feeling slightly guilty as he felt Dr. Wells' angry gaze. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?" Dr. Wells asked, not holding back any of his anger.

"Yeah I do," Barry stated confidently, "'I just saved a lot of lives."

Dr. Wells turned his gaze from the barrier to Barry, the vein on his forehead pulsing as he heat rate rose in frustration, "I warned you not to mess with the timeline. Whatever tragedy you think you just averted, time will find a way to replace it. And trust me Barry, the next one could be much worse." Barry held his mouth open, wanting to say something smart back but quickly shut it as he stepped aside and let Dr. Wells pass by him.

Barry apprehensively walked into the Cortex, not wanting to see Dr. Wells for the time being. Furrowing his brows as he saw Caitlin and Cisco adhering their stuff, Barry stopped in the doorway, "Where are you two going?"

The two turned around to reveal Caitlin's happy face and Cisco's pouting. "We are going to Dante's birthday party," Caitlin said cheerily as she patted Cisco on the arm.

"Yeah, my wonderful brother's birthday. Whoopee!" Cisco said sarcastically waving his arms in the air before trudging behind Caitlin to the elevator. Barry chuckled at their retreating figures before he turned around to see Dr. Wells, any amusement fading away.

"How about we try and see how you triggered the rip in time," Dr. Wells said, leaving Barry to change out of his suit. After doing so, Barry hopped on the treadmill, pumping his legs, urging them to go faster but at the same time hesitant. He was confident that he had saved Joe, so why change it just to go back to the tragedy he lived before. Under Dr. Wells watchful eye, Barry ran as fast as he had ran when he was racing across the coast line.

Dr. Wells sighed as Barry took a seat on the now still treadmill trying to catch his breath, "A number of things could have triggered the wormhole that allowed you to repeat your day. Your emotions, your circumstances.."

Scratching the back of his neck, Barry took deep breaths, "I mean my adrenaline was super high since Natalie and Iris and the entire city-"

"No, no, no!" Dr. Wells urged, waving his hands around. "No details I told you."

Barry opened his mouth, running his hands along his cheeks, "I'm sorry! Mark Mardon's already locked in the pipeline and nothing bad has happened."

"Yet," Dr. Wells replied curtly.

"So when were you planning on telling me you took down Mardon," Joe asked as he walked into the room.

"I think you mean us," Natalie replied walking in behind him.

Barry's mouth hang slightly agape as he leaned against a metal table, a smile growing on his face, "I just, I hadn't had the chance yet."

"You got sidetracked you mean," Joe assumed, shaking his head at Barry as Natalie switched her gaze between the two.