Panic Attack

Barry was not having a good day.

It started when he was forced to walk the long way to work due to a traffic accident that made him late. Singh got mad at him since he was late, again. Then Barry had to skip lunch because he needed to catch up on a ton of work. And on top of all that, he still had no idea how to beat Zoom.

Zoom, who had stolen his speed and Caitlin. Caitlin was stuck with that monster, and Barry still hasn't figured out a way to get her back.

Barry started to breathe in short breaths. He felt helpless and at fault. Caitlin was gone because of him. And he couldn't do anything without his speed. He couldn't do anything without his speed. He was useless.

At this point, Barry was hyperventilating. He felt himself shaking but he could hardly register anything.

He felt a hand on his back and he heard the Captain's voice speaking to him.

"Allen. You alright?"

Barry tried to answer, but his throat seemed to tighten up, and he couldn't get any words out.

"Allen. Take deep breaths." Singh said, rubbing his back. "Breathe with me. Okay."

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

Captain Singh sighed. Allen was behind on his work and it was irritating Singh. He wondered if he had any done. At this point, just one finished case would be wonderful.

So Singh made his way up to Allen's lab.

'Why is he always so late?' he wondered. 'It's like he's physically unable to be anywhere on time.'

He walked into the lab, "Allen do you have any case files done?" He looked at the CSI.

Barry was hunched over and breathing rapidly.

Singh frowned, "Allen. You alright?" he placed his hand on his back.

He didn't get an answer. He noticed a sheen layer of sweat on Barry's forehead, along with the hyperventilating, he knew this was a panic attack.

Singh was worried now, "Allen. Take deep breaths. Breathe with me. Okay." he rubbed his back, and felt Barry take deeper breaths. He wondered what brought on the attack.

Eventually, Barry calmed down.

"Allen, what triggered the attack?" Singh asked.

He shrugged. Singh raised his eyebrow. "Really? Because I just walked in on you having a panic attack that took almost ten minutes to calm you down from. So try try again."

Barry sighed, he knew he couldn't say 'nothing' because that was obviously not true, but he couldn't exactly tell his boss that he was stressed out because he lost his speed and his friend was taken by an evil speedster. So he said, "I'm not sure. I think just stress."

"You sure Allen?" he asked, "You've never had attacks when you were stressed before."

Barry sighed sadly, "I just... I feel useless. I can't do anything right, and my friends have to pay for it." Barry thought about Caitlin, and a tear slipped down his cheek.

Singh was shocked. How on Earth did Barry come to think he was useless? He said as much, "Barry." he said, "You are not useless. You're probably the best CSI in the entire city. You do so much, and the precinct would not be as good a place if it weren't for you."

Barry frowned and looked at his boss, "But... I'm always late. And I..."

Singh cut him off, "You have your faults. Yes. But just because you can never be anywhere on time doesn't mean you're useless and can't do anything right. You're a good CSI and a good friend. I'm sure your friends don't blame you for anything. And if they do, then maybe they're not as good of friends as they should be."

Barry looked at his boss.

Singh stared at Barry, "Trust me, Allen. You are far from useless."

"Thanks Captain."

"Anytime Allen."