Chapter 12: Facing the Truth.

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I followed Iris out to the backyard, where she stood alone, clearly upset. It didn't take a genius to see that she needed space, but I wanted to offer some comfort.

"Iris," I called softly.

She turned around, her eyes still glistening with tears. "Barry, I really need to be alone right now."

"I understand," I said gently. "I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to find out your mother is alive and that your dad kept it from you. He did it out of love, trying to shield you and help you become who you are."

"You expect me to just forgive him?" Iris asked, her voice tinged with frustration.

"No, I don't expect you to forgive him right away," I replied. "I just hope you can understand why he did it. Remember what I said about there being two sides to every story?"

"I know, I know," Iris interrupted. "You've been saying that since I got into journalism."

I smiled slightly. "So, you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"You want me to give my dad a chance, but it's hard to just forgive him for keeping this secret for 20 years," Iris said.

"I know you feel betrayed," I said. "I'm not asking you to forget, just to try to understand why he did what he did."

Iris sighed. "I need some time to think."

"Of course," I said. "Just don't stay out here too long. It's freezing."

Iris managed a faint smile.

As I turned to head back inside, Iris called out, "And Barry, thank you for looking into my mother. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found out she was alive."

"No problem, Iris," I said over my shoulder.

When I reentered the house, I found Joe sitting in the front room. "Where are Ralph and August?" I asked.

"August went home. Ralph wanted to talk to you about something," Joe replied.

I raised an eyebrow, curious about what Ralph wanted. "Did he say what it was about?"

"No, just that it was important," Joe answered.

"Okay, I'll go talk to him. On the bright side, I think I managed to calm Iris down a bit," I said.

Joe sighed in relief. "Thanks for trying to talk to her."

"Joe, I just want you to—"

"Barry, don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for," Joe interrupted.

"So, you're not mad?" I asked.

"I am mad, but you were right. Secrets only make things worse," Joe admitted.

I grinned. "Well, looks like I finally cracked your tough exterior."

Joe snorted. "Don't let it go to your head."

At that moment, Iris reentered the house and sat down in a chair next to Joe and me.

"Okay, Dad, I'm ready to hear everything you have to say," Iris said.

I decided to go find Ralph, who was waiting anxiously with a can of root beer in hand.

"What's got you so worked up, Ralph?" I asked.

"Sorry about that," Ralph said, clearly nervous. "I just have one more birthday present for you." He pulled out his phone and showed me a picture of Dr. Harrison Wells.

"What does Dr. Wells have to do with my birthday present?" I asked, though I had a feeling I knew where this was headed.

"Dr. Wells is the scientist you've read about," Ralph said. I nodded. "Well, I dug into his past and discovered that his wife died in a car accident on the same night your mother did."

I mentally cursed. It was too soon to investigate that angle. Eobard might have planted a tracker in the body to monitor its movements. I should have known Ralph would uncover something like this—his detective skills rival Batman's.

"So, you think he had something to do with my mother's death?" I asked.

"I don't know yet, but my instincts tell me we should investigate further," Ralph replied.

"Ralph, thank you for the birthday present, but..." I began.

"But what?" Ralph asked.

"Aren't you a little worried that we might be jumping to conclusions too soon?" I finished.

"Premature? Barry, this could be a good lead," Ralph stated.

"I received a call from Batman," I confessed. "He told me to drop the investigation into my mother's death and hand over the photos of the man in yellow."

"Really? I thought we agreed to call him the Red Lightning," Ralph said.

I snorted. "Color names are terrible."

"Well, I'd like to see you come up with something better," Ralph retorted.

"You know what, I will come up with something better," I said.

"Good luck with that. But what about Batman? We're not dropping this, are we?" Ralph asked.

"We went to him for help," I replied.

"C'mon, Barry, we're getting closer to solving this. Don't you want to know who the Red Lightning is?" Ralph pressed.

"Of course I do, but for now, let's give Batman a chance," I said. "If he doesn't make any progress in a few months, we'll continue the investigation."

Ralph sighed. "I just don't like how easily you can put your faith in someone else. We went to get his help, not to let him do the whole investigation."

"Why did you decide to help me, Ralph, when you could have just walked away?" I asked.

"The truth is, Barry, you're the first real friend I've had in a long time," Ralph admitted.

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? I'm one of the first real friends you've had?"

"Yes. Besides my mom, you, Joe, Iris, and August are the only family I have," Ralph said.

"That's why you've been so willing to help me," I said.

"Yes, and I feel I owe you for stopping me from making a mistake I would have regretted," Ralph said.

"Ralph, you don't owe me anything. I'll never give up on finding out what happened to my mother. But for now, let's give Batman a chance," I said.

"Alright, rookie, but I need you to do something for me," Ralph said.

"What?" I asked.

"You need to get yourself a date," Ralph said.

I groaned. Ralph had been trying to set me up for months. I'd told him I wasn't interested in a relationship. He assumed I was gay, but I clarified that wasn't the case. I just didn't see the point in starting something short-term when I could have a long-term relationship.

"What about you, Ralph? I don't see you asking any girls out," I retorted.

"Whoa, easy there, rookie. I'm looking for someone. I just haven't found the right one yet," Ralph said.

"I have my reasons, Ralph," I vaguely said.

"Is it someone else? Are you in love with Iris?" Ralph asked.

"What? No, I don't know," I said, truthfully uncertain about my feelings for Iris.

"Look, Barry, I just want to understand why you don't want to get a girlfriend," Ralph said, concerned.

I sighed. "Ralph, some people are meant to be alone."

Ralph sensed there was more to it but said, "Okay, I'll drop the subject for now. I need to get home, rookie."

"What was that about?" Joe asked, appearing from around the corner.

I jumped, startled. "How much of that did you hear?"

"Just the part about being alone," Joe said.

I sighed in relief. "Yeah, I'm just not interested in anyone right now."

"What about Iris?" Joe asked.

"I'm not sure," I confessed.

"Not sure? You've been in love with Iris for as long as I've known you," Joe said, concerned.

"A person's feelings can change," I said.

"Barr, what's wrong?" Joe asked, worried about his son's confusion and hesitation.

"I'm—"

Joe raised his hand. "Don't lie to me. We both know you're not good at it."

I hesitated but decided not to reveal too much. "Look, Joe, there are some things I can't explain right now."

"Alright, but when you're ready to talk about it, I'll be here," Joe said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I smiled. "How did the conversation with Iris about having a brother go?"

"Good. She was excited to learn about Wally," Joe said.

"And you came to ask me where they are," I assumed.

Joe hesitated. "No, I came to find out where my wife and son are."

I smirked.

**The Next Day**

After giving Joe and Iris the addresses for Wally and Francine, we decided to visit them first thing in the morning. Now, parked outside their house, I could see Joe mentally preparing himself.

"It's time to meet my stepbrother, Joe," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Joe remained silent, focused on the door.

I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Joe, you're an awesome dad. It might be rough at first, but you and Wally will eventually bond as father and son."

Joe nodded, gathering his resolve. He walked up to the door and hesitated before knocking.

"Go, you got this," I encouraged.

Joe knocked, and the door opened to reveal Wally West, the Kid Flash.b