Welcome! This is my first published fanfiction, which I have no business writing seeing as my writing skills are garbage (I chose to major in math for a reason). But it was fun for me so I thought I'd share it anyway. A couple of things - this is canon compliant up to and including 4x09 (so spoilers up to there if you haven't watched) before it just spirals into utter chaos and plot holes.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Flash or any of the characters apart from Ruth.


Chapter 1: Keeping it together

A nearby clock read four o'clock. It was quiet so she guessed it was four in the morning. Caitlin struggled to keep her eyes open as she coughed up blood.

What am I doing here?

Visions of chaos flashed before her eyes. People yelling, bodies dropping to the ground, but who put them there? Then she remembered. Amunet.

Of course. Who else would it have been?

Caitlin was ripped from her thoughts as she became aware of a searing pain in her side. Her vision began to blur. She was vaguely aware of the smashed cell phone by her side before once again losing consciousness.

"Caitlin, Caitlin can you hear me?"

Cisco, who had vibed Caitlin as soon as she didn't show up for work that morning, was hysterical. Luckily, Iris had insisted on coming along while Ralph and Wally dealt with another meta-human crisis and Harry held down the fort at S.T.A.R Labs. With Barry arrested, the team was once more stretched thin.

"We've got to take her back to S.T.A.R. Labs," said Iris, who forced herself to stay composed and panic later.

"And then what? Have her stitch herself back together? No one else has medical experience!"

"Cisco focus! We're obviously not going to leave her on the street and we can't take her to a hospital because the police found CCTV footage of her turning into Killer Frost."

"Right, sorry. Let's go."

Creating a breach, the two of them carefully carried Caitlin through it. Stepping into the Cortex, they heard Harry shouting.

"I said the fourth floor Dibny, you idiot!"

"No, I'm pretty sure you said fifth," came Wally's voice.

"Ha! Who's the idiot now?" Ralph gloated. Harry was about to interject when he looked up and saw the three of them.

"Caitlin…"

Iris and Cisco brought Caitlin to the medical wing while Harry stared after them with worry.

"Is Caitlin okay?" Wally asked, causing Harry to snap back to action.

"Don't worry about her, she's being taken care of. Focus on catching the meta," Harry urged, trying not to sound shaken.

At that moment in the medical wing, Caitlin began to regain consciousness. She was aware of movement around her as well as faint voices in the distance. Still delirious, and not quite able to open her eyes, more visions flashed through her mind.

"Okay, I just talked to Gypsy and she's going to get in touch with a medic on her Earth," Cisco said.

"Isn't that in violation of Earth-19's inter-dimensional rule?" asked Iris.

"She's willing to take the risk," Cisco said looking down at Caitlin who had begun to stir. "Caitlin, can you hear us?"

Caitlin mumbled incoherently as the visions of the bodies came back to haunt her.

"Amunet, stop this!" Caitlin screamed.

"Awe, is this all too much for poor Caitie? You know, now that I have no use for you anymore and your Frosty side refuses to cooperate, I think I'll let you join the rest of these pathetic traitors."

Caitlin looked around in vain for a weapon or means of escape. Then, just as she was about to transform into Killer Frost, shards of metal came flying through the air, piercing her just above the right hip.

Caitlin gasped and started to thrash around.

"We have to restrain her before she hurts herself," said Iris, finding it harder to keep her composure as she watched her friend struggle. Cisco nodded, mumbling, "Sorry Caitlin," as he and Iris strapped her arms and legs to the cot.

Suddenly, Caitlin's visions turned to the memory of Harry sitting with her at Jitter's. Harry defending her, even though she was the one with meta-human abilities. Her thrashing gradually lessened and she mumbled, "Harry…" before drifting off again.

Iris and Cisco exchanged a glance and Iris said, "I'll switch out with Harry."

Back in the cortex, Harry was on standby as Wally and Ralph fought the yet-to-be-named meta-human who had the ability to both grow and shrink, which was making for an interesting task of finding a needle in a haystack without getting stepped on.

"I'll take over from here; you're needed in the medical wing," Iris said with a peculiar look on her face.

"Me? Why me? Didn't Ramon arrange for a medic?" Harry questioned.

"Just go," Iris said, lightly shoving him in the direction of the medical wing. Harry stuttered slightly, a look of bewilderment plastered on his face as he stumbled away.

"What's the matter Ramon? How's Snow?" Harry asked pensively.

"She said your name before passing out again. Maybe try talking to her, see if she wakes up. I'm going to wait outside for Gypsy," Cisco said distractedly.

"Hey Ramon, she's going to be alright," Harry said, giving Cisco a meaningful look.

Cisco gave Harry a small nod before leaving the room. Harry sighed and looked down at Caitlin who was now in restraints, with some sort of bandage placed over the wound on her side. She was covered in cuts and bruises, her clothes were torn, and yet she looked so peaceful. He grabbed a chair and sat next to her.

"Hey Snow. How did you end up like this…"

He undid the restraints on her right arm and held her hand in his. He heard the distant sound of a breach being opened and footsteps drawing nearer.

"Look at that, help has arrived. You'll be good as new in no time," Harry said quietly.

"Harry," Caitlin murmured softly in her sleep.

Harry's eyes widened. Just then, Gypsy, Cisco, and presumably the medic walked in. Harry quickly let go of Caitlin's hand and the medic shook his hand briefly before setting up her equipment.

"My name is Ruth. Cisco updated me on your girlfriend's condition. Has her condition changed since he left?"

"No, aside from some muttering, she hasn't moved," Harry said.

"Alright then I need all of you to wait outside please," Ruth said.

Gypsy, Cisco, and Harry made their way out of the medical wing and met up with Iris in the Cortex.

"Okay so Wally managed to get our nameless-" Iris began before being interrupted by Cisco.

"Tiny Giant?"

"You can do better," said Iris before continuing. "As I was saying, Wally brought her in and went back to help Ralph clear up the destruction downtown. I'm going to head over to CCPD to see how my dad is doing with Barry's case…"

"Let us know if we can do anything to help," Cisco said, giving Iris a hug.

"Thanks Cisco, I'll see you guys later."

Harry, Cisco, and Gypsy sat in silence while Ruth worked away. Finally, Gypsy spoke.

"Hey, I know this is none of my business, but is there anything going on between you and Caitlin?" she asked looking at Harry curiously.

"Wha-no. No! I mean she's my...friend."

"Right, sorry. It's just that she said your name in her sleep…"

"Yeah…" Harry said absently. Gypsy and Cisco looked at each other before Harry added, "I mean she was out of it. Maybe she was dreaming about another Harry like Harry Potter!"

"Whatever you say, man," Cisco said to which Harry glared at him. Then Cisco perked up, "Hey, you didn't say anything when Ruth called Caitlin your girlfriend either!"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Because that would have wasted time, Ramon! You two are reading too much into this."

Harry made to get up and leave but just then, Ruth walked in.

"She's resting now. The wound on her side was a bit tricky, what with the metal shards and all but I was able to successfully extract them all. She also acquired some nasty bruises, likely from falling, but luckily nothing is broken. I've left aftercare instructions by her bedside but just contact me if you have any questions."

Harry and Cisco relaxed but Gypsy remained anxious.

"Thank you so much Ruth," Cisco said with a grin.

"Cisco, could I talk to you alone for a moment?" Gypsy asked.

"Oh yeah, sure," Cisco said as Gypsy led them to the hallway.

"Sorry to spring this on you, but would you be okay to come back with me to Earth-19? It would help with my cover story about Ruth. But I understand if you need to stay here with Caitlin."

"No, I think she'll be taken care of here," Cisco said, giving Gypsy a knowing look.

Gypsy smirked and said, "Good, because I had more than just the cover story in mind for us."

The two of them rejoined Ruth and Harry, who had been discussing how to keep Caitlin comfortable.

"Gypsy needs me to help out at Earth-19. Will you be okay to handle things here?" Cisco asked Harry.

"Can I handle things here-Ramon, did you forget I have a daughter? I can take care of the injured better than you ever could."

"Okay hurtful. And who was it that mixed up fourth and fifth earlier today…?"

Gypsy cut off whatever retaliation Harry was about to give by creating a breach.

"That's enough, boys. See you later, Wells."

Cisco, Ruth, and Gypsy disappeared through the breach, leaving Harry alone in S.T.A.R. Labs with Caitlin.


Please review, even if it's to completely tear this apart. I'll take any criticism I can get!