Caitlin wasn't sure exactly how long she slept for; all she knew was she was being dragged back to consciousness by a gentle voice singing. Opening her eyes and staring around her tiredly, she tried to remember where she was. Then she spotted Barry looking at her and he smiled softly when their eyes met.

"Welcome back," he murmured and she sat up, realizing she was much too comfortable to still have been on the floor in the pipeline. It was then that she realized she was in a bed.

"I brought you up to a bed in the medical bay," Barry said softly as she rubbed her eyes to rid them of any sleep that was still left over. She nodded her head.

"T-thanks," she stammered and he smiled gently at her.

"You don't have to be nervous; nor do you have to thank me," Barry said quietly and Caitlin sighed. She wished it was as simple as not being afraid.

"It's not that easy, Barry," she muttered as she pushed herself into a sitting position, before eventually standing up.

"I really should get home," she added as she tightened her sweater around her.

"At least let me give you a ride home?" Barry implored and she frowned.

"I was just going to drive…" she trailed off as he shook his head quickly.

"Cait, it's one in the morning and you're dead on your feet; it's safer if you just leave your car here over night and I'll flash you back later to get it," he replied softly and she thought it over before sighing and nodding hear head.

"Alright, you win," she muttered and he laughed quietly.

"Victory," he murmured and placed his hand on the small of her back but withdrew it almost immediately when she flinched.

"S-sorry," she stuttered. "Don't like being touched."

He simply nodded his head and didn't raise any objections, allowing her to lead the way outside. Once there, he paused and looked at her.

"I have to lift you to get you home," he murmured and she sighed as she thought over her options. Knowing the only two options she had was to drive or walk when she was exhausted, she admitted defeat and allowed him to scoop her into his arms. She tucked her head underneath his chin, trying to ignore the thumping of her heart. He secured her in his arms and the next moment, they were off, at an alarming rate. She kept her eyes firmly shut and prayed she wouldn't throw up on him. Then, quicker than lightening, they were outside of her apartment and Barry was setting her gently down on the ground.

"Here we are," he murmured and she released the death grip she had around his neck and took a few steps away from him. She straightened out her shirt and tucked her hair behind her ears before glancing around, making sure no one had seen them.

"No one's out here, Cait, I promise," Barry said softly and she bit her lip as she realized she had been caught. She sucked in a wavering breath before tightening her sweater around her more securely.

"T-thanks for the ride," she murmured as she pulled out her keys. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she was supposed to offer him to come inside and have something to drink or not. She wasn't sure she was ready for anyone but Wally to be back in her apartment but she knew that he had just most likely saved her some energy by taking her home. She sighed.

"Would you like to come in for a moment?" Caitlin whispered as she looked down, refusing to make eye contact with him. Barry placed his hand on her shoulder and she worked hard to not flinch away from him. When she was sure she wasn't about to wrench herself out his grasp, she looked up at him.

"Do you want me to come in, Cait?" Barry asked quietly, making it known that the choice was hers'. She thought it over for a moment before biting her lip.

"Maybe for….one cup of tea," she said cautiously and he smiled.

"Then I'll come in for one cup of tea," he agreed softly. She stared around for a moment longer before nodding her head and unlocking her door. She ushered him in before shutting it and locking it quickly behind her.

"I'll get the kettle going," she muttered as she made her way to the kitchen. "You can sit at the table if you'd like."

He didn't raise any objections and just sat down wordlessly as she busied herself with the kettle. It wasn't too long before she had two steaming cups of tea in her hands and she made her way towards him, handing over his tea as she did so. He accepted it with a word of thanks.

When she was seated next to him, she wrapped her hands tightly around the warm mug for two reasons. One, to keep herself warm, and two, to stop the tremors that still coursed through her fingers. He seemed to pick up on the second reasoning because he hesitantly placed his hand on hers'. She inhaled sharply but didn't withdraw, not finding the energy to do so. She looked up at him and saw that he was watching her in concern.

"What's got you so afraid in your own apartment, Cait?" Barry asked gently and she thought about acting like she didn't know what he meant, then realized he'd see right through that so sighed.

"This is the first time that anyone other than Wally has been inside of my apartment since I've been…back," she muttered and knew he'd pick up on the meaning behind her words.

Barry looked at her for a moment and she squeezed her cup harder, hoping the trembling would grow fainter.

"I'm glad you have Wally as a friend but you know I'm here for you too, right?" Barry asked and Caitlin snorted disbelievingly.

"You don't have to lie to me, Barry," she whispered but he squeezed her hand gently.

"Look at me," he murmured and she inhaled shakily before locking eyes with him.

"I am not lying to you, Cait," he murmured. "I wasn't there for you when Killer Frost took over, too absorbed with Savitar and not being able to stop him. I forgot what it must've been like for you, to be held captive in your own body."

Caitlin squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she thought over his words. She was a captive in her own body; a prisoner against a merciless woman.

She shrugged a shoulder as a tear leaked out and she wiped it away with shaking fingers.

"It's fine. She's gone now and I have my power dampening cuffs back on. It was the first thing Wally and I sorted out when Cisco and the rest of the team were busy looking for you," she muttered. She traced one of the cuffs with her thumb, playing with the metallic surface. She hadn't been able to find the necklace that Julian had yanked off her when her heart stopped; nor did she particularly want to. It reminded her of happier times with Cisco and the rest of the team. No, the dampening cuffs were working just fine.

The pair fell silent as they continued to drink their tea. Caitlin got absorbed in thoughts that she didn't really want to think about. Killer Frost swirling around her mind, the nightmare with Jay, everything that seemed to trigger her and her emotions. She sighed as she placed her cup back down.

"I'm getting pretty tired," she murmured and Barry nodded his head as he stood up.

"Alright, Cait," he replied softly. They looked at each other for a moment, with Caitlin wrapping her sweater tightly around herself to protect herself. She watched as he raised his hand, hesitated, and then tucked her hair gently behind her ear. She was surprised it didn't make her heart run rampant.

"I'll be back later to give you a ride to Star Labs. Please try to sleep some," Barry murmured.

"I will," she whispered. He looked like he wanted to say something else but contented himself with a smile and then he pulled his hand away, and was walking towards the door. She followed him wordlessly and showed him out. As soon as he was gone, she locked the door, securing herself inside her home, before making her way to her bedroom where another nightmare filled night was waiting for her with open arms.