Hi! First off I'd like to give a shoutout to ArtemisSnowC! Thank you so much for all your help!

Anyway, as you probably already know, this is an Earth 2 AU that will feature a kinda slow burn alternate Snowbarry. Among others things that I can't mention because spoilers. This story is set towards the end of Season 2 and onward.

I've taken a few liberties with characterization and powers because the show never really expanded or explained much in that aspect. In this story, E2 Caitlin's powers are kinda like E1's with more of a 'Caitlin Frost' flair thrown in.

Hope you guys like it! I'll try and keep updates fairly regular. I feel like this chapter is maybe a bit cringy but hopefully it will improve as I write. :)


Barry's breaths were shallow and calm, the faint sound of knocks echoing off the metallic walls. He squinted his eyes, attempting to adjust to the dimly lit cavern. Briefly, he wondered how Zoom had managed to keep his sight given the lack of proper lighting and patchwork electricity.

Barry continued at a steady pace, gripping the syringe tightly. Two weeks ago, he never would've dreamed of doing something like this on his own. Two weeks ago, Barry would've been on the verge of a panic attack. His palms would've been sweaty and his heart would've been racing. But not today, today he was angry and maybe a little bit reckless. He was numb, not caring whether he lived or died. Because two weeks ago, he had lost everything. He should've known fleeing Central City wasn't going to work, there was no running from the fastest man alive. That, and Zoom had always been the type to hold a grudge. So naturally, when Barry and Iris had gone to live with his parents, the speedster had found them the next day.

He had killed all three right in front of Barry. His entire family, gone in a flash. He had left Barry alive, saying that he wasn't even worth the effort.

So here he was, standing in the middle of Zoom's lair with enough paralytic to kill a herd of Elephants. The breacher that helped him get there had acted like it was suicide, and they were probably right. But that was fine, Barry only had one intent anyway...one goal. Either he was going to kill Zoom, or he was going to die trying. Probably the latter.

Barry pushed his glasses up, cautiously stepping over the broken glass that littered the floor. As he came closer, the knocking grew persistently louder. Barry felt his heart rate quicken, adrenaline flooding his system. However, as he approached, he didn't hear the sound of Zoom's gravely voice. Nor did he hear his menacing laughs or see his cobalt lightening. Instead, it was something quieter, subtler. The sound of someone's labored breaths entered Barry's ears.

When he turned the corner, the first thing he saw was the blood. There was so much blood, a large pool of it was spread across the floor and the center was a girl. She laid motionless, a mop of auburn hair covering her features. At first Barry wasn't sure who it was, but it clicked when he saw her blue jacket.

"Frost," Barry called, his voice echoing slightly.

He made his way across the room and knelt beside her. Barry's stomach flopped when he felt the warm, crimson liquid beneath his knees.

A pained noise escaped Frost's lips as she turned her head to face him. She looked different then she had before, her hair was no longer white, nor were her eyes an icy blue. She was still pale though, but Barry suspected that was because of the blood loss.

"Caitlin..." she spoke up, her voice horse. "You're...you're Barry, right?"

"Yeah, it's me," he answered quietly, instinctively placing a hand on her arm.

"What happened?" His eyes drifted to the half-melted icicle imbedded in her abdomen.

"I'm not sure, it's all a little fuzzy," Caitlin whispered, grimacing.

"Zoom," she added simply.

He could piece it together easy enough. After all, she had stayed behind to buy them time. They had left, knowing her fate was sealed. But that had been weeks ago, and Barry couldn't help but wonder why he had kept her alive for so long. Briefly, the scientist reminded himself why he was there, but it was soon pushed to the back of his mind. He had to do something to help, irregardless of how much he wanted Zoom dead. Irregardless of the fact she had tried to kill him, or would try to kill him again. He needed to help, it was just his nature.

"Look I don't really have any medical training, but I'm gonna do what I can," Barry assured, his gaze meeting hers.

She nodded wordlessly, fatigue etched onto her features. Barry pulled off his jacket, hoping maybe he could make some kind of tourniquet.

"You need to take the icicle out," she stated, her voice strained.

Barry was somewhat taken aback.

"Look ma'am, I'm no doctor, but won't that just make you bleed out faster?" Barry countered. "Which is opposite of helpful."

"Usually yes," she answered, "but if we can get my adrenaline to spike, she...Killer Frost will wake up. She has...she heals quickly," Caitlin explained, her hands trembling violently.

Barry knew if he was going to do something, he needed to do it fast. She had already lost too much blood and her body was going into shock.

"I'll try and get as much control as I can, but if she tries to hurt you...just leave me. Run, Barry," Caitlin warned, hints of fear in her eyes. "I don't wanna hurt anyone else," she spoke, tapering off into a whisper.

Barry nodded, his perception of the icy-criminal shifting slightly. He then rolled up his sleeves and better positioned himself to grasp the the shard of ice. She tensed as soon as he touched it.

"This is going hurt," Barry informed, his tone bearing both a warning and an apology.

"I'm counting on it," she answered, a resignation in her words.

Caitlin steeled herself, gritting her blood-stained teeth. Barry prepared himself as well, attempting to calm the nausea in his stomach. Finally, he took a breath and began to pull. It was a grueling process, one that felt as if it stretched on for hours. Then, finally, he yanked the icicle free. Caitlin let out a strangled gasp, fingernails digging into her palm.

However, the tension drain from her body soon after. She exhaled shakily, her breath now a visible mist. Barry watched in amazement as frost wisped over the wound, healing it in a matter of seconds.

"It worked," she whispered, a chill to her voice. Then Caitlin's eyes began to glow and streaks of white raced across her otherwise dark hair.

Killer Frost sat straight up, a wild and fearful look on her features. Then her eyes landed on Barry and she softened a bit. Instead of Frost, Barry could've sworn he saw Caitlin. She got to her feet, only to stagger a few moments later. Frost gripped the wall and let out a ragged cough, spitting out blood soon after.

"I thought you said you'd heal?" Barry said, eyeing the crimson liquid with concern.

"Internal bleeding is a bit trickier, it takes longer," she replied, leaning heavily on the wall.

"We need to get you out of here before Zoom comes back," Barry picked up his tweed jacket, the syringe forgotten.

He rose to his full height and approached her as calmly as he could. She regarded him suspiciously, but allowed it nonetheless. He then looped her arm over his shoulders and braced his arm across her back. Frost was initially rigid but she caught on, shifting her weight to rest against him. Then together, the two began their trek to the entrance of Zoom's lair.

"Do you think you can make another ice bridge for us?" Barry questioned , turning his head to look at her.

She nodded tiredly, summoning as much ice as she could muster.


By the time the pair arrived at Barry's house, they were both exhausted. He had lost track of time, but he was pretty sure it had taken them hours. Then again, he wasn't really surprised. Not only had they had to carefully descend a spiral of ice, but they also had to hike out of a forest that Barry only vaguely remember the way through. So needless to say, it was well into the night when they finally arrived.

Barry was tired, but Frost the worse for the wear. She was still walking on her own, but just barely. The Forensic Scientist kicked the door closed behind them and attempted to angle her towards the couch. Frost helped him as much as she could, collapsing a soon as she hit the cushion. She was asleep almost instantly.

Barry plopped down in a seat adjacent to the couch, his muscles sore and aching. At that moment, he was kinda wishing he hadn't failed PE.

Barry sighed and took of his glasses, scrubbing a hand across his face. He wasn't sure how had expected his day to end, but this wasn't it. Then again, he wouldn't have been surprised to end his day in the morgue, so maybe this was better. A part of Barry reminded him that he still might if Killer Frost suddenly decided to off him, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to legitimately worry about it. He knew he should probably still be afraid of her, but he just...wasn't.

Eventually, Barry regarded his tattered and bloody appearance. He had a mental debate about whether he should get cleaned up or sleep. Sleep won in the end.

So Barry extracted himself from the seat and draped a blanket over Frost. Honestly, he wasn't sure how much difference it would make, seeing as she was literally cold by nature. But still, it felt wrong not to. Barry flicked off the lights before beginning his accent up the stairs. After that, he made his way to bed, drifted away as soon as his head hit the pillow.

When Barry awoke the next morning, Frost was gone.