Hey guys so here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy. Sorry that I have been updating on a constant regular basis... I sorta want the current season to finish so I know where my story will lead as I'll be adding something to the Snowbarry story around ep.18 I think... so I need to know how it can work and how I can work it in with the rest of the season.
ShanouNash & josephguy217 & xan-merrick - Glad you enjoyed the chapter.. :)
AExupery - I appreciate your kind words. I do try my best to deliver you guys with a realistic version to the show.
Raquel - It will be difficult with finding some inspo snowbarry scenes to go off but trust ME stay tuned cause hopefully I can pull of a good story for what I have planned :)
TinkStar87 - Haha I know so many cliffhangers! I feel like this whole season every ep has had a cliff hanger. But stay tuned to the Snowbarry version... I think it's going to get good. It I write it good.
Thanks for all the comments really makes me smile that I can write something you guys enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Flash nor its characters.
Caitlin's POV
"HOLD HIM STILL!" Caitlin ordered towards Barry as she raced around to the other side in order to hold Stein down in any effort to minimise his seizing.
"His dropping out." Barry said his voice tense.
"Come on! Come on! Come on!" Cisco muttered under his breath.
"Cisco we're losing him!" Barry yelled.
"GOT IT!" Cisco shouted as he finished typing furiously across the keyboard, reconfiguring the tacion device in the effort to stabilize Stein.
What only were mere seconds felt like hours as she watched impatiently as Cisco sprinted across the room towards them, latching the tacion device onto Stein's chest. Caitlin held her breath as she watched and waited for Stein to stabilize. Closing her eyes in relief, Caitlin cautiously guided her hands away, unsure if he was really stable. After a minute passed, she felt that she could finally breathe again. That was close. Too close. She mumbled to herself.
"Oh dieu mio, thank god" Cisco praised, slumping down relieved against the metal desk behind him.
"He's getting worse."
"Look I did what I could to re-engineer Dr Wells' original to call off the reaction but I don't know what he used as a power source. Best I could find was the one from his wheel chair."
"And how long will that last?"
"Well that's the problem. We had already used up most of its energy trying to dampen the metas powers during our little rogue trip with the Weather Wizard and company. I think we have a few days tops." Cisco shrugged hopeful.
"And he's stuck in bed?"
"Yeah and when he wakes up I'm going to transfer the stabilizer to this. Give him a power cane. Get him moving."
"We got to figure out a way to save him."
"I think I might know how to do that." Caitlin proposed.
"When the particle accelerator exploded the dark matter that collided with Professor Stein fused with the F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M matrix and altered the normal molecular processes that occur in his body. Those highly reactive molecules needed something to bond with in order to stabilize." Caitlin explained as she walked back into the cortex, leading the boys to the centre where they listened intently to what she was saying.
"And that's where Ronnie came in." Cisco recognised.
"Yes. And now that Ronnie is no longer apart of Professor Stein…" Barry trailed off, his face saddening at the past memory.
"His molecules have nothing to bond to." Caitlin finished, her eye catching Barry's.
"And the longer he goes without merging the more unstable he becomes."
"Oh… alright so what do we do?" Barry jumped eagerly concerned to find a solution.
"Find another… participant." Caitlin stated flatly.
"Okay cool so how do we do that? Are we just going to make a tinder app for potential metahumans? Because I'm pretty sure merging with stein and randomly bursting into flames sounds like the biggest swipe left of all time." Cisco bantered.
"Even if we could find someone willing… Stein can't just merge with just anyone he wants." Barry replied looking from Cisco to Caitlin.
Caitlin turned away, slightly guilty that she hadn't told Barry she'd been secretly researching for potential matches in the event Stein was ready to re-emerge as F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M.
"No he can't… but I have done some research and have found two potential candidates who might be compatible with him. They were both affected by the dark matter and they were both admitted to the hospital showing symptoms of gene rearrangement mutation. And they both share the same blood type as professor stein and Ronnie." Caitlin confessed under her breath as she moved over to the computers, avoiding Barry's intense gaze by gluing her eyes to the screen and bringing up everything she'd discovered so far in her research.
Caitlin kept her eyes down, as she waited for Barry to reluctantly turn away from her and to the screen behind him to review what she had found. Once she was sure his eyes weren't on her, she looked up, and biting on her bottom lip she crossed her arms over her chest protectively.
"Alright… um this is more than organ donation we need more than tissue typing to see if their bodies are compatible." Barry muttered.
"If I could isolate the genetic locus of the two candidates and cross reference it with the mutations of Professor Stein I might be able to find a match and save his life." replied Caitlin.
"What do you need me to do?" was all he said.
Barry's POV
With Stein's life on the line, there was no time to waste by asking for permission to test their blood. Instead, Barry took it upon himself to make the executive decision and take a small and harmless sample without them knowing.
As Barry raced to find both men, his mind kept tracking back to what Caitlin had said. She had been doing research. Why was she doing research in the first place? And why hadn't she told him? With his mind racing with all these questions Barry, stealth fully obtained samples of blood of each donor with speed and flashed back to S.T.A.R Labs.
"Alright blood samples from both potential candidates." He grumbled as he handed each sample carefully over to Caitlin.
"Woah that is fast even for you." Cisco gaped slightly impressed.
"I may have skipped the asking for permission part." Barry shrugged.
As his fingers brushed overs her slightly, Barry looked over to Caitlin who was nibbling down on her bottom lip. He wanted her to look up at him. They needed to talk. He wanted to know why she had kept this from him. But she continued to avoid his gaze.
"Let's see if we can't find a match." She said reluctant to meet his eyes.
As she took the samples, she turned away to analyse them without another word or any explanation about everything else.
*CCPD*
With nothing to do until, Caitlin had finished her analysis of each blood samples, Barry remained useless and frustrated with all the questions bouncing around his head. Barry leaned his head back, rocking back and forth on his desk chair.
Why would she tell him? Why keep it a secret? Why, why, why? Repeated over and over in his head.
Huffing out Barry pulled himself up and buried his head in his hands taking a deep breath. Rubbing his face, Barry looked up, his eye line levelled with his desk drawer. With another burning question buried deep inside the drawer, Barry reached out opening it. Barry stared down into the almost empty drawer. A small velvet box lay against the wooden panel. Closing his eyes Barry shut it, uncertainty filling up his mind.
Distracted to work or do anything useful at the CCPD, Barry pushed himself out of his chair decided to grab a coffee at Jitters.
As Barry began climbing down the stairs of CCPD towards the elevators, Barry was so lost in his own thoughts he couldn't stop himself before bumping into someone.
Startled, Barry stumbled backwards, his mind brought back into the present.
"Barry? Hey I was just looking for you. I would have called but I don't have your number yet so…" Patty mumbled her cheeks flushing a shade of pink.
Barry offered a weak but genuine smile.
"Sorry." Barry apologized both for bumping into her and for the fact that he might not be giving her his full attention. But he couldn't concentrate, when his mind was on Stein and Caitlin.
"No, no, no I just wanted to show you this. These were found off an alley of Eastward Avenue."
Barry's eyes widened in acknowledgement to what she as handing her as he simultaneously re-focused his attention to what she was saying.
Barry looked down to the red taped evidence bag. Squinting his eyes as he brought it closer for examination Barry exclaimed
"What are these… teeth?"
"Shark teeth." She said giddy.
"And I have an eye witness that says he saw a shark walking on land. A… A man shark." She emphasised with excitement.
"Man shark?" Barry repeated skeptical.
"Yeah."
"It sounds like a bad sci-fi movie." Barry muttered.
"Or a really awesome sci-fi movie." She countered blushing.
As Barry glance up at her and back to the teeth, he had to do a double take, haven't realized how serious she was taking this.
"Haha yeah. Oh um for real? You actually think there's a shar—"
"Yeah, I know it sounds… really wacko but nothing seems impossible now we have metahumans right? And I thought it would be fun you know for us to work together again on case." She jumped in defending herself.
"Yeah I know. It's just metahumans aren't really my thing." Barry shrugged off.
"Oh okay that's fine." She said a bit deflated.
Sensing her disappointment Barry felt a little bad for shutting her down so offered to help anyway.
"Um look, how about I just run a test… see where the teeth came from."
"That would be amazing thanks." She chirped clearly happy again.
"Yeah sure." Barry smiled.
"Detective Spivot."
Barry turned his head to see Joe approaching them.
"Detective." She replied confident.
"How's your man shark case coming?"
"It's good. I was about to go canvas the area to see what else I could dig up. And Barry here agreed to runs some tests for me." She smiled as she glanced at Barry.
"Ugh really?" Joe asked with raised eyebrows towards Barry.
Barry just shrugged.
"So progress." She added.
"Thanks again." She finished turning to Barry.
"Ahem." Barry nodded watching as she walked away.
"If I didn't know any better… I would think my partner has a little crush on you." Joe pointed out.
Barry's brow creased together confused. Glancing over his shoulder as Patty got into the elevator he turned back to Joe.
"What… Patty? No."
Barry just watched as Joe gave him a 'seriously?' expression before he turned to head over to his desk. Shaking off the absurd notion, Barry followed Joe.
"You okay kid?"
Barry opened his mouth ready to tell Joe about Caitlin and everything when his phone chimed momentarily silencing him.
"Oh sorry Joe I have to go. That was Caitlin about Stein." Barry said backing away as he finished reading the text message from Caitlin.
"Yeah go I'll cover you with Singh." Joe replied.
"Thanks." Barry mumbled as he raced towards the elevators.
*S.T.A.R Labs*
After an unsuccessful first meeting with Jackson, Barry and Stein entered the cortex to find Hewitt standing in the middle engaged in a lively conversation with Caitlin.
"Caitlin… what's going on?" Barry pressed as he rounded the arched desk towards them.
"Hi. I'm glad your back. This is Dr. Henry Hewitt. This is Barry Allen and Professor Martin Stein." She bounced as she made the introductions.
Barry assessed Hewitt with a careful eye. Extending his hand out, Barry was met with an unkindness when Hewitt stepped by him, ignoring Barry as if he were invisible. Barry stared in front of him wide eyed at such arrogance.
"How do you do?" Stein said cordially.
"The illustrious Martin Stein. I've read all your papers back at Hudson especially on transmutation. Fascinating." Hewitt said in awe.
Shaking off his slightly hurt feelings, Barry made his way over to Caitlin, greeting her with a soft kiss. Cisco joined him soon after as they all turned to face the small interaction between Hewitt and Stein.
"You're a legend." Hewitt whispered leaning in towards Stein.
"Oh please. You're overestimating my contributions to the field…" Stein voiced humbly, shying his head down.
"Isn't he great?" Caitlin whispered leaning into Barry.
Barry noticed as a smile stretched across her face. He too smiled at how happy she seemed. It lifted his heart. But his smile slightly faded as his mind drifted back to all the unanswered questions plaguing his already crowded mind.
"He's got an ego the size of Texas but yeah he's alright." Cisco nodded.
With Stein and Hewitt seemingly getting along pretty well, Caitlin turned to face Barry with a curious look on her face.
"So where's Jefferson Jackson?" She asked.
"We just need more time." Barry grumbled softly, his eyes still glued on Hewitt.
"We don't have more time. I couldn't find a power source for the cane. That thing is running out!" Cisco pressed.
"Okay let's do the merge. Hewitt's in." Caitlin jumped in.
"What do you mean? You told him about the F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M matrix?" Barry exclaimed reeling from shock yet somehow he knew that wasn't the only thing that made him raise his voice. There was hint of betrayal if he were to be completely honest with himself.
"Absolutely! Becoming F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M is a huge life change. He needs to know what he's getting himself into." Caitlin defended.
The sudden burst of laughter bellowing from a short distance beside them, distracted Barry for the clearly growing tension between Caitlin and himself.
"Oh look at that… that's so cute we'll have two Professor Stein's if this works." Cisco said sarcastically with a childlike grin across his face.
"It'll work." Caitlin stated flatly turning her back to Barry almost abruptly.
"Yeah." Cisco concurred.
"Okay." Barry agreed outnumbered.
Caitlin's POV
*S.T.A.R Labs*
Caitlin waited nervously while Cisco primed the splicer to Hewitt's chest. She wanted this to work… no she needed this to work. Unable to keep her nerves at bay, she began fidgeting with her fingers, her teeth biting down on her lower lip.
"When I put this splicer on your chest, you're going to feel a rush. That's the molecular primer being released into your body. Then you can make physical contact with Professor Stein and whoosh firestorm matrix will take over." Cisco explained.
"Easy enough." Hewitt smiled.
"Ready?" Caitlin asked Stein her voice a little shaky.
"Nothing like the present thank you my dear." Stein reassured her with a gently squeeze of her hand.
Caitlin smiled warily but nodded. Stepping back, Caitlin joined Barry to the side and out of the way. By a quick glance in his direction, he's face was stern and serious as he kept an intense eye on Hewitt. He seemed a little guarded with his hands crossed over his chest, unwilling to look at her. Caitlin couldn't blame him. She knew he could sense that he was a bit mad at her. She hadn't giving him an explanation. She knew he deserved one but she just couldn't seem to find the words. At least not yet.
Turning away, slightly ashamed… they watched as the splicer powered up. Stein and Hewitt turned to face each other. Both reaching out to each other, they began to fuse together in a rush of red and yellow flames before they extinguished almost immediately.
Caitlin stepped forward confused. Stein with same expression on her face, turned to both her and Barry before back to Hewitt.
"Try again." Stein nodded.
Caitlin stepped back once again to watch them make the same attempt however, this time nothing… not so much as a wick of flame sparked between them. Nothing happened.
"This is unexpected." Stein whispered shaking his head.
"Something is supposed to be happening…right? Why isn't it working?" Hewitt said with a growing agitation.
"I don't know." Caitlin shrugged, a taken back by his raised voice.
"Looks like you guys aren't compatible after all. I'm just going to umm..." Cisco mumbled as he took the splicer back.
"So all this was for nothing!" He shouted angrily.
"Believe me no one is more disappointed than I am." Stein voiced.
Caitlin stepped forward to apologize and reassure them they'd find what was wrong but was immediately shut down at Hewitt's cold response directed towards her.
"Yeah don't be so sure about that. Next time try to get your act together before you get someone's hopes up." He seethed before gathering up his coat and walking out.
Caitlin left stunned, unable to move. Her throat suddenly dry she turned away deflated and angry at herself.
With the unsuccessful merge between Hewitt and Stein, the team had to resort to involving the reluctant star football player. With an ambiguous invitation to visit them at S.T.A.R Labs. Caitlin buried her head in her hands as they waited for Jax to arrive.
"I'm really glad you decided to come."
Caitlin looked up as Jax walked into the room, with a curious look on his face. Caitlin rose from her chair, with her arms crossed over her chest.
"I thought S.T.A.R Labs had to shut down?" Jax said as he looked around the place.
"It's under new management." Barry replied.
"Woah what kind of treadmill is that?" Jax exclaimed with raised eyebrows.
"Cosmic." Cisco mumbled.
"Cool." He nodded turning his attention to the many faces in the room.
"So let's get started. You got some billion dollar tech gadget that's going to fix my knee."
"Actually Jax this isn't about fixing your knee." Barry started softly.
"What are you talking about?"
"When the particle accelerator exploded the energy wave that collided with you is known as dark matter." Caitlin began explaining.
"And it didn't just hurt your knee…" Barry added.
"It changed your molecular structure of your body." Stein finished.
"Wh-wh-Hold on green… so your saying I'm like one of those metahumans I hear about on the news?"
"Yes and please call me Professor."
"We think you have potential capabilities." Caitlin voiced stepping forward, all reluctance towards Jax pushed aside with the pressing matter of Stein's current health situation.
"What kind of capabilities?"
"Ah… the same as Professor stein. The ability for your body to process vison and fusion." Caitlin stated.
"And you can harness excess energy and turn it into this massive nuclear blasts and you can fly. There's also that." Cisco shrugged.
"So you can say you can do all this." Jax said skeptical.
"Only during times of convergence with a willing partner." Stein explained.
"Convergence? You and me?"
"Yes."
"Oh no this is crazy." Jax objected as he stepped forward ready to leave.
"Look Jax this is your chance to write the wrong that was done to you." Barry said trying to change his mind.
"Yeah sorry you got the wrong guy. I don't want nothing to do with this."
"Wait a second. We're giving you that chance to be a superhero… and you're going to say no that quickly?" Caitlin yelled a little desperate.
"Yeah not my kind of thing." Jax rejected flatly.
"If the man isn't willing to participate-" Stein began.
"Look I saw your test scores Jax your grades were good enough to get into college but you didn't go… why?" Caitlin interrupted gaining closer towards Jax.
There was an immediate silence that followed her question. Jax just looked at Caitlin with a burning mistrust. Without a word he shook his head angrily as he turned to leave.
"Is this the type of guy you are… one set back and you fold? Then maybe you're not the guy for us anyways!" She said bluntly.
"Well maybe I'm not." Jax whispered.
"JAX!" Barry called after Jax but unwilling to plead him to stay.
"Maybe this wasn't meant to be." Stein said weakly as he too left the room for a bit of rest.
Caitlin frustrated with Jax with Hewitt… with herself turned away angrily.
"Cait wait wh-what do you mean… Jax could be our last chance to save Professor Stein." Barry voiced loudly his hand pointing out where Jax had exited.
"He said no to being a superhero who does that? I mean you didn't say no when you had the chance… Cisco would you?" Caitlin argued.
"The chance to have superpowers… sign me up." Cisco said shaky, backing away slowly to leave Caitlin and Barry alone.
"Look we're asking Jax to change his entire life. To sacrifice what he does have. That is not a decision that could be made lightly. It took me a long time to figure out this whole hero thing." Barry said using Caitin's own words against her.
Caitlin felt the growing agitation in her chest. He didn't get it!
"Exactly which is why we need someone who wants to do this!" She yelled back.
"Where are you going?" Barry asked his voice strained.
"To get Hewitt we have to try again." She replied as she yanked her coat off the back of the chair and stormed out of the room.
It wasn't long before Barry was following her.
"Cait… Cait—wait up we need to talk."
Caitlin didn't stop moving. They were running out of time. Stein needed someone and if Jax wasn't willing they need to get Hewitt back to try again.
"Barry…"
As Caitlin closed her eyes briefly to take a breath, she opened them to see Barry standing in front of her. Surprised, Caitlin wasn't fast enough to stop herself from crashing into him. Before she could stumble backwards, Barry got caught of her arms, steadying her still.
"Cait please." His voice was soft.
Caitlin pulled herself to look up at him. She could see the confusion and pain in his eyes. Opening her mouth she was suddenly lost for words… for an explanation.
"Barry I… I can't do this right now… we're running out of time. I need to go."
With those words, Caitlin fell out of Barry's hands, walking around him and towards the exit.
Barry's POV
*CCPD*
Barry was left empty, after having Caitlin walk out on him. He didn't know what to do. She wasn't talking to him. Feeling useless, Barry wandered into CCPD expecting to find Joe. As Barry peered up from his feet, he saw Joe slumped over by the window of his desk.
"Yo! Joe. Hey, you good? Everything alright?"
"Yeah I mean no… just had a hell of a day." Joe huffed out, slumping down on the windows ledge.
"Yeah?" Barry prompted.
"Iris' mother. She told me she was dying." Joe blurted out.
Barry didn't know what to say to that. He just waited for Joe to continue.
"Yeah. And I know Francine. She's telling the truth about this." Joe added, bowing his head down his voice soft and saddened.
"Okay. Does Iris know?" Barry asked concerned.
"Not yet." He replied looking up at Barry.
Barry pursed his lips. He didn't know how to help. As the silence filled the air in between the time Barry scoured his head for something reassuring to say, Joe distracted himself for his own problems by focusing on Barry's.
"Do you… Did you need something?" Joe asked, changing the topic from him to Barry.
"Ahh no… I just um…" Barry trailed off.
Barry looked up to Joe, who was staring at him intently with concern. Taking a deep breath Barry continued.
"Caitlin with everything going on with Professor Stein… I think it brought up unresolved issues about Ronnie… I don't know what to do."
"Look, Bar- You know this… from what happened to your mom. She just needs time."
"I guess… I'm just not sure."
"About what?"
Barry shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck he looked down to his feet.
"Let me ask you this then… why haven't you proposed yet?"
Barry looked up at his adoptive father. How did he know?
"I'm a detective Barry." Joe smirked.
Barry smiled shaking his head. Taking a deep breath, Barry looked away as he spoke.
"Ahh I—I want to Joe, I do. I'm just not sure if she's ready. Especially what she's dealing with right now."
Joe placed a hand on Barry's shoulder, pulling Barry to look at him.
"Bar—whatever she's going through I'm sure you'll figure it out… together. Talk to her. That's what marriage is about anyways. Understanding. Plus I don't see why you're still waiting… I see the way you look at her… you can't take your eyes off one another. You guys have been on and off the past two years and yet you still found a way back to each other after everything. You love her and you're never going to feel the same for anyone else so you can't let whatever is going on now from keeping you from exploring something new… your future together."
"You're right. She's great. The best thing that's ever happened to me… I do love her Joe… more than I never knew I could love someone."
"See kid, what you have there… it's rare. So hold on to it. Hold onto her and never let her go."
*S.T.A.R Labs*
"What's being described as a spontaneous power malfunction erupted last night at EIKMEIER Technologies wanting for questioning is Scientist Henry Hewitt."
"Hewitt's dormant abilities may have been triggered when we attempted the merger." Caitlin said shaking her head as they watched the news.
"This could be catastrophic. If he's powers are anything like mine, he requires a grounding mechanism to stabilize his volatility. Otherwise…" Stein trailed off.
"Yeah he's going to pop his top. And he's got a long history of violence according to his police record." Cisco stated.
"Police record?" Barry stammered his eyes snapping towards Caitlin with raised eyebrows.
"I didn't find a police record." Caitlin replied shakily as she raced over to the desk to look at what Cisco had found.
How could she not have found this? How could she be so stupid? As she read over the file, Caitlin closed her eyes cursing herself. It was all her fault.
"Yeah of course not… it was sealed but guess what... your boy hacked in and hold on… wait for it… one count battery two counts aggravated assault… ordered anger management therapy." Cisco began to list.
"He's seemed like a nice guy. He even knew your Hudson nerd song." Caitlin whispered he voice low and defeated.
"Woah you okay?" Barry raised his voice in concern as he held out is hand to keep Stein from falling.
Caitlin's eyes snapped up immediately to the Professor. He seemed pale and weak. Speeding back around Caitlin held onto Stein as he used her for support.
"It appears Mr Hewitt's stability isn't the only one in question. I think I need to lie down." Stein smiled as he nodded reassuringly towards Caitlin.
"Yeah I'll come with you." Cisco offered as he took Caitlin's place and helped Stein to the med bay.
"Thank you."
Caitlin's POV
Caitlin placed her hands on her hips as she dipped her head down. This was her fault. All of it. Frustrated at herself, Caitlin's eyes began to well up. Wiping a tear away just before anyone could notice… Caitlin turn away taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"Professor Stein is getting worse and Hewitt's like this because of me. This is all my fault. And now Jefferson Jackson may never come back because of what I said. I just didn't believe he had what it takes." She whispered as she wrapped her hands around her.
Caitlin closed her eyes, the tears she fought to hold back, silently falling down her cheek. The was a small quiet silence until she felt the warmth of Barry's arm wrap tightly around her, embracing her close to him. Caitlin leaned her head to his cheek, unable to control the tears the continued to spill down her eyes.
"This isn't because you didn't believe in him. I know you… with everyone we've come across you've tried to save every single one of them… you were always the first one to see… no to believe in the good in them. It's one of the many reasons I feel in love with you. It's just sometimes possibilities are in front of us and we don't see them because we choose not to. I think we need to be open to exploring something new. All you have to do is talk to me… please." He whispered as he held her more tightly.
Caitlin took a deep breath, as Barry loosened his grip around her, Caitlin turned around in his arms. With one of his hands Barry reached up wiping away the tears, drawing his fingers under her chin, willing her to look at him.
"Just talk to me." He pleaded.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." She sobbed.
"It's not your fault Cait." He whispered.
"It is Barry. My fault that Hewitt's like this… my fault Ronnie's dead and now Stein… It's why I had to do this… it's why I need this to work. I know I should have told you but I didn't know how. I didn't want you to think… I just needed to do this. I needed to do this for Ronnie."
"It's okay… I get it now. I just wished you told me sooner. But Cait—Cait look at me." He pleaded, placing his hands on either side of her face, her eyes looking squarely into his.
"You're not to blame for Hewitt. He chose to try and merge with Stein and you have to stop blaming yourself for Ronnie. It was his choice to stay and be with you. He chose to save you… save this city. You can't blame yourself for his decision okay." He finished as her to his chest, holding her tight.
*Mechanic's Garage*
After her talk with Barry, Caitlin knew what she had to do. As she parked her car, Caitlin stepped out dusting off her coat as she approached the garage door.
"Let me guess you don't have car troubles" Jax said as he caught sight of her.
"I came to apologise. I'm sorry for what I said." She replied stopping unsure whether to come closer or not.
"It's fine. Apology accepted." He said curtly.
"Look we could really use your help to save Professor Stein."
"That desperate huh?" he laughed as he wiped the grease off his hands.
"Yes. My husband Ronnie. He used to be Professor Stein's other half. He actually helped build the particle accelerator and when it exploded he was affected by it too. Ironically that was how he got the chance to show the world what he was truly capable of… and he died saving this city." She explained, unable to keep the pain from leaking into her voice.
"Wait… he was the guy that flew into the black hole?"
Caitlin just nodded.
"That was him?"
"He was a hero. You can be one too." She said genuinely.
"I never wanted to be a hero. What I wanted was to go to college. When we couldn't afford it football was my way in until it got taken away from me." He replied honestly.
Caitlin bowed her head. There was still so many things that she and Cisco had to make amends for, especially after everything the particle accelerator they helped Wells build did to the people of Central City… and helping Jax find his true potential was a good start.
"I know. Look I know the particle accelerator took something from you but it also gave you something in return… something even more spectacular. The opportunity to be a part of something bigger… to be part of a team that's working to protect people from losing what you lost. I believe you were meant to be a hero." She encouraged.
"Woah hold on." Jax interrupted holding up his hands.
The sudden flickers of light and sparks, Caitlin jumped when a figure emerged from out of the shadows.
"I've been looking for you Dr Snow!" Hewitt smirked with a deadly look in his eye.
*S.T.A.R Labs*
As Caitlin arrived back at S.T.A.R Labs she was heaving, trying to catch her breath before she heard Barry call out her name.
"Caitlin!" Barry breathed out.
"What's wrong?" Caitlin asked as she raced into the med bay in a panic.
"Come here!" He called.
"Oh good you're here this thing ran out like 30minutes ago." Cisco indicated to the tacion device.
"His temperature is 142 degrees and rising fast." Caitlin relayed over as she quickly assessed over Stein's vitals.
"He's going into rapid oxidation we need to find a coolant." She ordered.
"I think it's a little too late for that." Barry whispered as he tried keep Stein down as he began to seize uncontrollable.
"I'll do it. I'll merge with him." Jax said.
Looking up, Caitlin had for a moment forgot that Jax was with her.
"You said this was my chance to be a part of something bigger than myself. To help people. That's what I want." He nodded in her direction.
Caitlin gave him a small smile before she had to return her focus back on Stein.
"You sure? Once you merge there's no going back on this." Barry said.
"You said I can fly?" Jax asked looking towards Cisco.
"Damn right." He smiled as he ran over to get the splicer.
"So what do I need to do?"
"Well here's the abridge version." Cisco began explaining as he took Jax into the middle of the cortex, priming the splicer to his chest.
"Professor you need to wake up... Professor Jax is here." Barry cooed as he helped Stein out of the bed.
"Jax?"
Caitlin went to the opposite side, helping Barry carry Stein into the other room.
"You came back Jefferson… Thank you."
"Just like my coach always said: Out of yourself and into the team."
"So how does this work?" Jax asked.
"Okay… all you got to do is touch him." Cisco explained.
"And then what happens?"
"You become F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M." Caitlin replied with a warm smile.
"Okay."
Turning to Stein, Caitlin caught Barry's eye. Acknowledging her, both her and Barry carefully removed themselves for Stein's side, Caitlin a bit wary that Stein was going to fall without them but miraculously was stable enough to hold himself up long enough for him to merge with Jax.
As Jax burned into a stable flame of red, Caitlin stepped forward.
"Jax? Is Professor Stein?..." she tested wary.
"How will I know?" Jax replied.
After a moment's pause, Caitlin sighed in relief as she noticed Jax's surprised expression. It worked!
"Oh so I get Green as my co-pilot… so when do we get to take this for a test spin."
Suddenly the alerts on the computer began to beep. Cisco raced around to see what the alert called them to.
"How about now? Looks like Hewitt's recharging at Central City football stadium."
Barry's POV
*Stein's Residence*
After and explosive night, Barry felt as though everything was moving back into place. He's mind was finally settled after having found understanding in why Caitlin was acting so determined and why she had kept what she was doing from him. She needed the time to put the guilt she had been carrying to rest and figure a way to let her past go.
Stepping down the front porch of Stein's house, Barry gave a gentle squeeze ton Caitlin's arm as they prepared to say their goodbyes.
"And how is Mr Hewitt?" Stein asked.
"Ah seems like that last burst of energy burnt him out."
"Our tokem man's gone dark" Cisco joked.
"Yeah we're just going to keep him safe and sound in the pipeline until he decides to keep quiet about all of this." Barry smiled.
"So you going to meet up with Clarissa?" Joe asked.
"We're meeting in Pittsburgh in 3 days."
"Why Pittsburgh?" Jax interrupted.
"Ahh colleague of mine was instrumental in training Ronald and me and she's graciously offered to help the two of us as well."
"How is she going to help us?"
"Well there were many aspects of our abilities that we never quite achieved, and hopefully now we can fully realize that potential." Stein finished.
Caitlin snaked her way of Barry's arms to face Professor Stein. She always hated goodbyes.
"Oh my dearest Dr Snow. Ronald maybe lost to us but he will never be forgotten." He hummed bringing her into an embrace.
As Barry watched Caitlin make her goodbyes to Stein, he then too in turn made his farewells as Caitlin took Jackson aside.
After a moment alone, Barry couldn't overhear what she was saying but he saw her as she handed him a compass. There he smiled. He knew the compass had belonged to Ronnie. In her way, this was her saying goodbye. This was her letting go.
Turning away before she could catching him staring Barry, re-joined the laughter and conversation between the rest of the team.
Jax and Caitlin soon joined them, Caitlin curling herself into Barry as they all huddled into a circle.
"Let's get this show on the road… or to the sky if I am to be literal." Stein laughed as he patted Jax's shoulder.
"Are you ready Jefferson?"
Jax nodded. And in a slight tough, both Stein and Jax merged into F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. With a final nod, F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M rocketed into the sky and out into the world.
"Alright." Joe coughed.
Barry brought his eyes back down, specifically seeking out Caitlin's. Caitlin smiled up at him, and he felt his heart lift.
"I'll see you at home?" She whispered.
"Yeah." He replied kissing her on the lips.
Barry watched beside Joe, as Caitlin left with Cisco in the S.T.A.R Labs van. Waving goodbye as they drove out, Barry turned to Joe a breathed out a heavy sigh. It had been a long and an emotionally exhausting day.
"That's some leap of faith that kid took merging with Stein." Joe said as they began walking back to Joe's car.
"Yeah it was." Barry agreed.
"Maybe there's a lesson somewhere in there for you." Joe hinted as he nudged him in the side.
Maybe there is. Barry hummed with a wide grin.
Things aren't always as they seem our fears can play tricks on us making us afraid to change course… afraid to move on… but usually hidden behind our fears are second chances waiting to be seized. Second chances at life… at glory… at family… at love. And these opportunities don't come by everyday so when they do we have to be brave… take a chance and grab them while we can.
As Barry sped through the streets of Central City, everything around him seemed to be buzzing with life. At that moment he felt electrified. With a renewed sense of clarity, he knew why everything was so much more vivid. He had a second chance at the life he thought was taken away by fate… he had a second chance at love. A second chance at the only love he needed. Caitlin. With every foot forward, Barry ignited every cell in his body, eager to get home. First he needed to take a small detour back to the station.
Arriving fast at his destination, Barry skidded to a halt when a gigantic shark towered over him with a grimacing smile that threatened his death. Barry eyes traced up the body of the shark where his eyes met blood rimmed, razor sharp teeth. Swallowing hard, Barry took an instinctive step back. Before he had time to react at the reality of what he was seeing… or even to the danger the shark presented him with, the shark had latched onto his throat squeezing with a death gripping pressure that had Barry scratching at his enemies hands for the slightest release.
"Zoom wants you dead." The shark grunted as he tightened his grip around Barry's throat.
Barry felt as the pressure built up in his chest, as his lungs fought for air. Barry heaving tried ignoring the sharp pain that rose in his chest as he fought uselessly against the man shark. Fighting the darkness that began to cloud his head as he drew weaker, Barry heard the faint screams of a familiar voice.
"PUT HIM DOWN. Put your hands- FINS IN THE AIR!" she ordered.
Shoots
Mystery man shoots the shark paralysed and on the ground.
"Who the hell are you?" Barry choked as he tried to restore his breathing.
When the man drops the hood, exposing his identity, Barry finds as his muscles tenses, his mouth dry for words as he stares at the face of the man that has caused him so much pain and grief. That man was…
Harrison Wells.
