Suspicions

As Elon watched in bewilderment his guests devoured the meal he had prepared, leaving him to fear an empty stomach, Barry was engaged in a heartfelt conversation with Joe. The day's events had brought them to a mutual understanding and forgiveness.

In Barry's lab, three pizzas weighed down a table cluttered with files. Barry tore off a slice topped with spicy Italian sausage and spoke between bites, "Joe, thank you."

Joe, half-seated against the table, watched Barry with a sense of nostalgia. "Barry, you've grown up. You should have your own thoughts. You're right, you're not my kid, I..."

Barry put down his slice and interjected, "NO, Joe, you are my father. You're the one who made sure I was fed and clothed."

"You stayed by my bed every night because I was afraid of the dark."

"You helped me with homework, taught me how to drive and shave."

"You put me through college, teaching me all the virtues one should have."

"Everything you've done... you are my father, and I am grateful you became my second one."

Moved beyond words, Joe wiped his face, his eyes brimming with tears. He picked up a slice of pizza, clinked it against Barry's in a makeshift toast, and they shared a smile.

After enjoying their pizza, Joe got serious. "Barry, I don't approve of you being The Flash, but you have your own ideas, and I can only support you silently. However, you must accept my supervision and be honest with me."

Barry, sensing Joe's support, was elated. "Joe, that's great! I've always wanted to work side by side with you against crime."

"From now on, no more secrets?" Joe raised an eyebrow.

Barry hesitated before replying, "YES... YES."

Joe, unconvinced, rolled up a world map on the blackboard to reveal hidden information. He had accidentally discovered it in Barry's workspace during their argument at S.T.A.R. Labs, and it pained him because he had been part of the team that wrongly convicted Barry's father years ago.

The blackboard was covered with newspaper clippings about Barry's mother's murder and images of Barry's father being arrested by the police, alongside numerous annotations and dates.

"Joe..." Barry struggled to find words, knowing Joe disapproved of his secretive investigations.

Joe had always believed Barry's father was guilty, and after adopting Barry, he had conducted his own private investigation into the case but never found anything conclusive. He wanted Barry to grow up in a healthy environment, away from the shadow of his father's alleged crime.

But now, with Barry's super-speed, Elon's control over electricity, and the evidence Joe had found in Barry's workspace, he began to doubt his past judgment.

"Barry, I was wrong fourteen years ago. Your father shouldn't be in jail. I believe you now, and I'll re-investigate the case. Your father will be okay," Joe promised with conviction.

Barry, tears in his eyes, was grateful but despondent. "Joe, thank you for believing in me, but it's useless. I've gone over the evidence a hundred times and found nothing. There is no starting point, no clues to follow. I'm stuck."

Joe tapped his fingers on the table, his intuition as a seasoned detective kicking in. "Barry, we should look into the source of your abilities."

"Me?"

"NO, Harrison Wells. He took you from the hospital, and after you woke up, you had superpowers. He acts like he knows everything about your abilities, which resemble the events of the night your mother died. My gut tells me we need to look into Harrison Wells."

Barry pondered Joe's words, recalling the night of his mother's murder, the red and yellow arcs of electricity, and how similar it was to his own experiences with speed. His trust in Wells hadn't yet developed to the point it had in the TV show, where he initially rejected Joe's suspicions due to gratitude and Wells's convincing facade.

Now, Barry didn't dismiss Joe's theory out of hand.

The despair in Barry's eyes was replaced by hope. Joe's words had given him a new lead to pursue. Though uncertain, it was a clue, a path that might one day clear his father's name.