That's right folks, another chapter! I'm sorry but I couldn't resist. I enjoyed writing the first chapter so much that DoctorHarrisonWells and I brainblizzarded and now I have to write more! Not sure how quickly I will churn additional chapters out, but just know that they're coming. Oh yes. They're coming. That said, nobody else has had a chance to edit this so all mistakes are my own. I know Harry has probably sworn in the series, but I couldn't resist. You'll understand when you get there. Things are nuts right now so getting time to interact with others is hard. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. I look forwards to more! Hope this makes you at least chuckle! - Troll
Chapter 2: Cisco's Nightmares
Harry glowered over at the snoring man. It was bad enough he had to share space with Ramon. Now Ramon had to subject him to snores! Didn't the young engineer know that sleeping should be done in a bed, away from where Harry was trying to work! Groaning in frustration, the older man dropped his head into his hands, closing his eyes and hoping the snoring would stop. Unfortunately, his wish was granted as Cisco sat bolt upright, screaming at the top of his lungs. Startled, Harry jumped, sending his work flying into the air to slowly flutter down and scatter across the floor. "Damnit, Ramon!" Harry bellowed, glaring at the young man. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Clattering sounded in the hallway and in a matter of minutes the lab was filled with Barry, Caitlin, Jesse, and Joe. Turning as the group bundled in, Harry glowered. "We heard a scream," Caitlin said, looking at the two men.
"Yeah, that was me," Cisco admitted.
"What did you do to him?" Joe demanded of Harry.
"Me? I didn't do anything! He went from snoring to screaming without any help from me!" Harry looked irritated and annoyed, motioning wildly at Cisco.
"Guys, he's telling the truth," Cisco muttered.
"Thank you," Harry said, still looking grumpy as he crossed his arms.
"Why did you scream?" Caitlin asked gently, letting a hand rest on the exhausted engineer's shoulder.
"Nightmare," Cisco answered softly. "Lately I've been dreaming about Eobard killing me over and over again. I keep hearing his voice." He shuddered and rubbed tiredly at his face. "Sorry I disturbed you, Harry."
"Wow, you are exhausted and messed up," Harry observed. Cisco never apologized to Harry.
"Come on, Cisco," Caitlin began, guiding her friend out of the room. "You can get some sleep in the medical bay." It was a term Cisco had coined for the room where they kept the treatment beds and other medical supplies. He wasn't certain how he felt about sleeping on one of those beds, but he was tired so he went along.
The next day, still sleep deprived, Cisco shuffled into the cortex and squinted against the darkness. Apparently Harry and Jesse weren't up yet since the lights were still off. A few feet in front of him, two dots glowed red. A shiver ran up his spine as he remembered the way Eobard's eyes glowed red.
Shaking himself, Cisco went to flick on the lights, glancing towards the two red glowing dots as he did. As it was illuminated, his eyes went wide and he ran for the exit, screaming. Unfortunately, he barreled right into Harry, smashing into the man and taking them both to the ground. For his part, Harry bellowed in surprise, anger, and pain. The anger was because he had poured his morning cup of coffee only moments ago and it was now being knocked from his hands. He was in pain not only because he'd been knocked down and landed upon, but because that precious hot brown liquid he was angry about losing was pouring all over his chest.
"What the flying fornication! Get the hell of off me! My coffee! Hot! Fecal material! That is hot! You excrement!" Words flew rapidly from Harry only to stop when he was hit once more, this time by a speeding Barry. Crying out in pain, the speedster had run him over while managing to miss Cisco, the older scientist rolled into a ball with more cursing flowing forth. "One morning! I want one morning to calmly enjoy my rutting coffee! Deity cursed universe against me!"
"Dad?" Jesse had come around the corner, drawn by all the noise. Caitlin, Iris, Joe, and Wally were a few steps behind. They had arrived at the same time, but Barry had raced ahead when Cisco screamed.
"What!" Harry snapped at Jesse, realized who had spoken and slowly uncurled. Barry was climbing to his feet, a few scrapes rapidly healing on his arms and face.
"Cisco, Dr. Wells, are you two okay?" Caitlin asked, going to Cisco's side since he hadn't said much beyond his initial scream.
"In there," Cisco managed to squeak, pointing towards the cortex. Curious, the group headed into the cortex, exchanging looks as they eyed what had terrified the engineer so badly.
"This?" Wally gave Cisco a disbelieving look as he hefted the toy from the table. "Weird suit. It's like the Flash but yellow and black."
"A teddy bear?" Harrison practically yelled as he trailed into the room, pulling his stained shirt away from his chest. "You sacrificed my coffee for a teddy bear!"
"Not just any teddy bear," Barry said, picking up the piece of paper the bear had been seated upon. "Eobear Paws," he read from the "birth certificate."
Iris giggled and then clamped a hand over her mouth. Cisco glowered at her. "This isn't funny," he lectured. "I mean, this is the kind of crap that triggers more nightmares for me! Thawne was creepy enough, now somebody has turned him into a teddy bear!"
"They did a pretty good job too," Caitlin admired, gently touching the fabric that the suit was made of and grinning at the fact that the red eyes stopped glowing and faded to blue when the cowl was pulled off.
"Still, not funny," Cisco insisted, snatching the bear away.
"My name is Eobear Paws," the bear squeaked in a high, child-like voice. Holding it at arm's length, Cisco stared at it in shock. "You might say I'm the Reverse!"
"My coffee," Harrison muttered, turning to leave.
"Hey," Cisco called out, causing the older man to turn. "What kind of swearing was that?" His brain had finally processed the myriad of words that had flowed out of the elder Wells.
"Oh, that's his Dad swearing," Jesse said, grinning. "When I was little Mom tore into him for swearing around me. That was his solution. Now, when he gets really angry and irritated, he automatically slips into it." She patted her father on the shoulder.
"I'm going to change my shirt and get more coffee," Harry snarled. Glowering for a moment at Cisco, Harry then rolled his eyes and then turned to leave.
"I will always be faster than you, Flash," Eobear squeaked as Cisco squeezed a paw. It caused Barry to giggle and reach out for the little bear.
"Nah-uh," Cisco said, pulling the bear back to his chest. "He's mine." Barry was getting ready to argue, but Caitlin waved a note at him.
"He's right. The note says that the bear should help chase Cisco's nightmares away," Caitlin explained.
"Guys, I don't know which one of you did this, but thanks," Cisco said, grinning as he squeezed another paw.
"I'm just trying to get home," Eobear said in his adorable kid voice. "I need a hug," was the next statement. "Caitlin scares me," he declared with the next trigger. The woman in question glowered at the bear.
"Watch it," she lectured the bear. "I don't care if you are a toy. I'm sure I could figure out how to dissect you."
"Run, Barry. Run," Eobear responded. Cisco laughed, joined by the others. Rolling her eyes, Caitlin moved to follow Harry.
"I'm going to check on Harry," she called as she left. Laughter followed her. She found the older man in the rooms he shared with his daughter. He was in the process of pulling his shirt off when Caitlin entered. Hearing the click of her shoes, Harry quickly pulled his shirt back on. When he saw it was Caitlin, he removed it. "How bad are your burns?"
"Fine," Harry answered curtly.
"Well, I wanted to thank you for making the bear," Caitlin said, studying him. He gave no indication that she was right.
"Why would I make that silly thing?" Harry demanded, waving back towards the cortex. Shaking his head, he wiped his chest clean with his shirt and went to get a fresh one. Caitlin followed him, using the bathroom mirror to look at him.
"Maybe you did," she began, then shrugged. "Maybe you didn't. Whoever made it really did Cisco a favour. Turning his enemy into an adorable little bear with a squeaky voice sort of emasculates Eobard. He shall now forever be Eobear with the kid voice and soft fur. He's completely cuddly now."
"I don't care who made the damn thing so long as Ramon stops snoring while I'm working," Harry grumbled. Smiling knowingly, Caitlin just nodded and walked away. Once she was gone, the Earth 2 denizen grinned at himself in the mirror.
