Striding into STAR Labs

Through An Open Door

“Doctor Wells get to the cortex NOW.” I heard a young woman say urgently and forcefully, almost as a command. It didn't take a genius to see I was the cause of the urgency. I wondered it was an order?

“Please, I mean no harm.” I said weakly. “I..I'm just passing through.”

“Then stand down.” Barry Allen told me.

“If you mean by that, let myself get taken into holding, of course. But I can't actually stand down. I'm not exactly armed and dangerous to begin with. The field is a capsule, in case a different Earth has less than breathable atmosphere or something. Well, incompatible I mean. It happens.”

“Can you deactivate it?” The woman I know identified as Caitlin Snow asked me.

“Once you tell me the composition of your air and other details. I can't run the scans myself.”

“70% nitrogen 20% oxygen 10% mix of carbon, Xenon and other trace gases.” Wells said from the doorway. He carried a laser-type weapon that was pointed downward. His hair was as wavy and short as most other Wells. He was dressed in black and gray clothes that were simple but elegant. Not refined taste but made more for lonely brooding than fighting or having fun.

“So my skin might turn pink but there's enough oxygen I'll still breath alright.” I thought aloud. I pressed two fingers to the inside of my left wrist. The field faded. My head dropped as I adjusted. A few deep breaths later all three people in the room were starring at me. “That much Hydrogen with what I think is extra Xenon is like putting a skin tanning lotion all over me.” I explained simply. “It's all good.”

“You know, I doubt she has to go into the pipeline. I mean, as long as she stays as still as she is, we can just talk in the lounge or something right?” Wells said, almost reluctantly.

“I can't say I disagree.” Caitlin piped up. I started and stared at her. “What is it?”

“You really are Caitlin Snow.” I murmured. “Talk about the same but different.”

“Okay what's that about?” Barry Allen said firmly, but still calmly.

“With the silvery hair and ash-blue make-up, she looked like Frost to my eyes.” I explained simply. Blank looks permeated the room. “Dr. Caitlin Snow on my earth was the nicest but also one of the most reserved people I've ever met. She had a meta-alter-ego called Frost; basically a chaotic good type of wild child. Well, originally Killer Frost was a bad-ass bad girl. The metallic-whiteness of her skin, the ice-queen appearance, that was the frost alter-ego...who mellowed out significantly on my Earth. I honestly thought she was on the surface here...until now.”

“I am a 'wild child' here.” Caitlin Snow said pointedly. “That's all this is.”

“I apologize. It's just...I can't help but use what I know to interpret what I see. I'm human.”

“Plus la change.” Harry said under his breath.

“ 'The more things change, the more they stay the same'.” I said aloud.

“What do we have another mobile Gideon unit or something?” Cisco said as he walked in. His hair was in a pony-tail, but just as laid back and casual as ever. Except...I couldn't see eyebrows.

“Let's get someplace where we can all sit down and hash over everything.” I said I held my hands out in front of me, as if I was about to be arrested. “This compare and contrast is GOING to take a while. I sincerely hope you're interested in that discussion. Not fun but...usually worthwhile.”

Barry Allen led me into a lounge with tan walls, silver tables, that looked like they were made out of actual silver and overhead lights with blue ceramic-looking covers. I made my way to one of the metal tables and sat myself down. I gripped the arm of the chair a little tight as I sat down.

“Something for your nerves?” A young man with blonde hair and a light blue dress shirt asked cordially, from several feet away. I smiled at the bands he wore around his arms, just above his elbows. He was either very proper and very eloquent...or had no other purpose but to help out.

“A lemon tea or a mild wine please.” I answered at once. I smiled when I noticed it was Julian Albert. I my face froze when he turned around. He had a cybernetic implant up and down the left side of his face. “I take it he is who you meant by 'another' mobile Gideon unit. He wears one on his face as a...conduit I guess?”

“...Yes, essentially.” Harry stated in an almost subdued tone of voice.

“Wells, you and I can stay with her. I don't think we should crowd.” Allen said easily.

“Fixing the inter-cellular matrix of the velocity nine.” Snow said briskly.

“Improving the hydraulics of the speed-lab racetrack.” Cisco squeaked.

Julian came back with a tray of drinks: one glass of white wine, two goblets of red and a steaming mug of black tea. “Tea is for me. I know you guys like to share the experience, so wine seemed like the way to go.” He said, almost by way of explanation.

Wells took one of the red-wine goblets, a seat at a higher, smaller table to my right and a mini-notebook out of his pocket. Barry took the other goblet and sat down right across from me. I took a sip of the white wine, smiled faintly and waited for either of them to speak.

“I take it you're from another Earth?” Barry prompted me.

“Yes. I recognize a lot of your faces from that version of STAR Labs. Knowing doppelgangers can have different names, and not just from their family histories...Introductions?”

“Doctor Harrison Wells.” The Earth-10 doppelganger said, placing his palm flat against his chest and bowing slightly.

“Bartholomew Allen. Most people call me 'Barry'.” The Flash said, tapping his left shoulder with his right hand. “And that's Julian Albert. And you were absolutely correct about the implant.”

“Back home people knew me as Sasha. I man, on Earth one in Starling City and in STAR labs. Prior to 6 years ago, everyone knew me as 'Sarah'. Call me either one.” I said matter-of-factly.

“Why are you here?”

“I'm not visiting Your Earth, not specifically. I stride parallel to parallel to see beyond my own horizons and outside my own world. It's just the sort of adventures I have, across what I think of as the world's largest ocean.”

“Life on the road in the universes most expansive highway?” Wells said curiously.

“I wanted to see what else was out there. I was already familiar with alternatives to common variables.” I said what I'd meant to be jokingly. I smiled a little sadly when he blinked at me. “That was my attempt at humor, sometimes I crash and burn sorry.”

“It's more than alright, don't worry.” Wells said in a soft tone.

“Anyway, I spend as much time on my Earth as I do any other Earth. But this is how I prefer to spend my day. Stopping through, helping out, learning. It's not for the sake of the variations. Just to find new people to say 'hello' to, but not be completely in the dark about.”

“Is there a Harrison Wells on your earth?” Julian said, having sat down across from Wells.

“That's the weird thing. In the six years since STAR Labs went into operation, there have been four versions of Harrison Wells, from various Earths who stay as long as they are needed and return home...By and large. The man from they thought was Harrison Wells was an impostor...and died five years ago. The original...the actual Wells from our Earth...”

“...Was killed by this man, before anyone had met him.” Allen whispered. I nodded my head.

“This has the negative effect of each new Wells being compared to a man who, while super nice, turned out to be a murderer on at least two counts. The plus side is I have multiple Harrison Wells', that I met back home, to use as a template, comparison and interpreter for my travels now., as far as he is concerned.” I could tell this Wells wanted to hear more. And if I was interpreting Julian's facial expression correctly, he was sincerely curious. “Not to be a jerk but 'if you have questions, ask them'.” I said loud enough for everyone in the room to start paying attention.

“Was Harrison Wells you teacher?” This Wells said in a voice of which I could make nothing.

“Each Wells to join the team, year after year has a brilliant mind and relevant perspectives. No matter what his area of special concern, he knows what he's talking about. They can be ashamed or proud of their lives, indifferent hell bent fixing their mistakes, but our team is the better for having each and every 'resident wells' on it. One trust their advice...on life OR conflict.” I looked around and smiled softly. “I must specify something. When I say 'team flash' I mean my friends at Star Labs. I am not ON team Flash. But I am on their SIDE.”

“That's pretty much how I am here. I want to help if I can. And apparently I'm good at it.” This Wells said with a sincere smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

“You sound like H.R.” Without looking up I elaborated on my own statement. “He was the most normal, average and easy-going of them. He wasn't a genius and didn't really understand half the science-y things you dealt with. He was so simple you thought he was 'simple-minded'. Unfortunately I am using that as a collective/inclusive rather than a specific, impersonal pronoun. His 'stream of consciousness' approach to life was invigorating for lack of another word. And his 'leaping before one looks' saved the day.”

“Why are you sad about that?” Barry asked me, dropping his head to look me in the eyes.

“He used to say that if something was worth it you had to go for it, no matter the odds. I think he meant the odds of failure or the risks involved. When you needed him the most...no one expected what he did much less ask it of him...he gave his life to keep Team Flash together and beat the bad guy. To him it was worth the cost.”

“On that point he and I are alike.” Wells said in a faint voice. He got up and I thought it was to leave. Instead he just walked over to the bar and poured himself another glass of wine.

I turned to Barry and dropped my voice conspiratorially. “He is a valued, if not equal member of this team'?” I said, pointing my head toward Wells.

“Very much so.” Barry answered me, just as quietly.

“You have no idea how glad I am to see all of you together.” I said aloud, still trying to steady the cadence of my voice. Julian and I both chuckled at that, though presumably for different reasons. “On Earth-1 Julian left the team not too long after H.R.'s funeral. He's still within proverbial earshot. You keep in contact. But he's off doing his own thing for the most part.”

“I was the only one who could handle Gideon in my ear. I'm not as bothered by it as they would be. That's why I stayed. I don't mind it at all. It's actually a fairly illuminating way to live.”

I smiled faintly and continued as business like as anything. “To answer your question, about how I can control these things and trigger internal sensors? It is a series of on-off switches, medical implants I have in various parts of my internal systems. I have these little devices that monitor my epinephrine and norapanepherine levels and improve my endocrine/thyroid function...cleans my blood and cools my breath as needed. And to answer your next question this was prior to my decision to travel the worlds largest ocean. I'm living my life to the greatest and most profound degree possible. Not to extend my life by any sense, but so the days I have are worth living.”

My hands started shaking right around then. “Can I have some almond-cashew mix please? Or a turkey and cheese sandwich?”

“Is everyone on your earth this advanced in nutritional balance?”

“Only those who have a a completely separate list of things required for balance.” I answered at once, a little more curtly than I'd intended. “Most people are too busy trying to argue different diets and what is the most up-to-date dietary pyramid to realize those pyramids are not universal. The framework or understanding of what most people need or are said to need probably isn't that different from around here. I just happen to be different enough that it doesn't fit me. I need magnesium and tryptophan the way most women would need iron and B-12. Special diet means special care.” I looked around a minute. “The bitterness in my voice is because it's not an acknowledged special diet. People know not to give diabetics sugar. Not to give people with heart conditions caffeine. There are specialized diets for every physical or physiological abnormality out there. But no-one thinks someone with an emotional mental disability might need a diet AS different just as badly. Not even when nutritional science is there field of study.”

“Guys, can I have a moment alone with Sarah?” Wells said in a restrained voice. There were looks of agreement and acquiescence as the others cleared out. I motioned to the chair across from me and Wells sat down in it. For a moment neither of us spoke.

“You are both right and wrong about me.” He began slowly. “These people are my friends, the closest friends I've made in a long time. The distance you are sensing, what must seem like permanent uncomfortableness, is actually a new development.”

“You feel like you failed them somehow and you don't want to impose?”

“Rather the reverse. I recently suffered a loss and afterward I retreated into myself for a while. I didn't quite throw myself into my work. I just didn't socialize anymore, even while working. They' are trying to give me some distance until I can put my heart completely back into my work. Or until I can embrace team flash as a my 'friends as close as blood' once more.”

“I never asked, you are their Harrison Wells, right?”

“Yeah. They just call me by my surname though. It's...professional I guess.”

“I shall do so as well. It's a refreshing change. But...am I even welcome around here?”

“For as long as you would like to stay, you are welcome to.” Wells said firmly and warmly.

“For which I'm grateful. But it's not actually a matter of me liking to stay. I won't even have time to say goodbye when I leave. What I am asking is are these the kind of people...rather is it normal on this earth that being useful or non-threatening a yardstick by which I will be measured while I am here....however long or short a time that ends up being. Because kicking me out or me wanting desperately to leave won't pull me home any faster. And I will get PULLED home when my time here is over.”