Stars

A/N- This is also a solo story, but I figured it's short so why not.

***** LINE BREAK *****

Singh POV

I sighed as I hunched over the stack of paperwork at my desk. Ever since the Flash had disappeared, the crime had increased, and Allen had gone on a sabbatical. He left so suddenly, not even a notice. And he's been gone for six months. I frowned. If Allen wasn't so good at his job, I'd have fired him by now.

I liked Barry Allen. He was a hard worker and really good at his job. Sure I wished he wasn't late all the time. And I wished he'd stop disappearing in the middle of the day. But he was a good CSI. He was incredibly smart and it was a stupid move he made to take a sabbatical to who knows where. I was mad that he wasn't here now. It would make everything go so much faster.

I sighed again. This was going to be a day I had to stay late. There was a small commotion outside that drew my attention. I left my office to find out what happened.

I walked up to the nearest officer, "What's going on?"

The officer turned to me, "Not sure Captain. I think someone said something about finding Allen on the street?" he shrugged, "Not sure."

What? I thought, Finding Allen? Why would Barry need to be found. He's on sabbatical. I saw Cecile walk out of one of the rooms. I jogged over to her, "Cecile, what's this talk about finding Allen on the street?"

She froze, "Oh. That? Uh..." She chuckled nervously.

I was so confused. "Is Allen here?"

"Yes. I mean no. Of course not." she said.

I stepped around her and started walking towards the room she came out of. I was aware of Cecile following me trying to convince me not to. I got to the door.

Cecile grabbed my arm, "Captain, you really shouldn't..."

I opened the door. I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. Barry was in the room muttering and drawing these symbols all over the walls. He filled the whole first wall and was writing on the second one. 'What the hell' I thought. Or apparently muttered as Cecile asked me to repeat.

I ignored her and walked up to Allen cautiously. "Allen?" I said tentatively. 'What the hell happened to him?'

He turned to face me and I let out a small gasp. He looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks and he had a full beard. This wasn't the Barry Allen I knew. Then he smiled at me. I let a small smile through.

But then he started talking.

"Nora shouldn't be here."

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Allen, your mom isn't here." But he went on as if he didn't hear me.

"Your honor I'm innocent. I didn't do this. I didn't kill anyone."

He was honestly starting to scare me.

"Can you hear the stars?" He asked.

Then Barry gripped his head as if he were in pain.

"Rhyming, chiming, timing every hour, every minute."

He turned and pointed at me.

"You said the city was safe. That there was no residual danger. But that's not true. What really happened that night?"

I was seriously freaking out right now. What the hell was going on with Allen? Why was he like this? His face turned soft.

"Stars melting like ice cream, dream gleam."

He went back to the wall and started drawing all the weird symbols again.

"Allen?" I laid my hand on his shoulder. He faced me again. Then he clutched his head again.

"The stars are raining. Draining. Paining. Too soon."

He drew again.

"I think maybe later. No, thank you. I'm not hungry."

He then rapidly turned towards me, angry.

"He didn't do those things. He didn't hurt my mom. I was there that night. There was a man, plan. No plan."

He pounded the wall.

I stared at him. I was internally panicking. What the hell happened to Allen? What's all this gibberish he's saying. I would be lying if I said I didn't care for Barry like family. Seeing him like this was torture.

I hurried out of the room.

I turned to Cecile as she closed the door, "What the hell happened to him?"

She shook her head. I was scared. No. I was terrified. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my stomach turned into knots.

"Well who does know!" I said.

She swallowed, "Joe and some others are on their way. They'll explain."

I ran my hand through my hair. I took a deep breath trying to settle my nerves.

One question kept running through my mind:

"What the hell happened to Allen?"

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The next day, I stared at the papers at my desk that didn't seem to really matter at the moment. I thought over the information I was given yesterday.

Barry Allen was the Flash.

My CSI was Central City's superhero.

And he had gone into the Speed Force to save the city.

In there he was in a prison.

That prison was his personal hell.

Now he was back.

But he has dementia.

These thoughts ran through my head over and over and I got absolutely zero work done. I went to go get some coffee. I stepped out side my office and started walking towards the coffee machine when the elevator opened. I froze.

Barry Allen walked out of the elevator.

Clean shaven, smiling, and whole.

He went up to his lab and I couldn't help but follow him to make sure that this was really real. I stopped in the doorway.

"Allen?"

Barry turned around, "Oh! Captain. I'm sorry. Did you need something?"

Then I did the last thing I expected. I walked up and hugged Barry Allen. He was as shocked as I was.

"Captain?" he asked.

"It's good to have you back Barry." I smiled.

"Thanks Captain."

I walked away, but paused at the door, "Allen."

"Yes?"

"How can you still be so late with super speed?"

He stared at me open mouthed before he clamped it shut. Then he smiled, "I'm not sure."

"See you, Allen."

"Bye Captain."

I smiled wide as I walked back downstairs. Today was going to be a good day.