Julian could see her in the doorway, her back to them as she spoke to someone. Amunet was definitely a formidable character, and he flexed his hand where it had been hit. He'd just hit the call button when Amunet destroyed his phone. Which meant that it might not have even gone through to Barry's phone. It was possible, and likely, that no one knew they were in trouble.

He cursed himself for hesitating. He'd wanted to stay next to Caitlin, to try to protect her, but if he'd gone to call for help immediately, the others might at least know to start looking for them.

He didn't know how long it had been since he'd passed out. The only thing he knew for certain was that they were in an unknown place, and there were people working with Amunet. He'd seen some of them walk by. Amunet herself had been in that doorway since he woke up, keeping her back to them. He looked over at Caitlin again, wishing he were closer to her.

She was still passed out, lying near the wall. She didn't seem hurt, but he knew something had happened before they were captured. He glanced up at Amunet again. She still seemed locked in conversation with someone, but she was bound to turn around soon, so he decided to risk it, and whispered, "Caitlin!"

She didn't stir, so he started trying to move closer to her again. His hands were tied behind his back, around a support beam more towards the center of the room. He knew it was futile, but he kept moving his wrists about in an effort to loosen the rope. He raised his voice slightly as he called her name again, but she still showed no sign of movement.

She didn't hear him, but Amunet must have, because she turned from the doorway and smiled when she saw that he was awake, starting to walk into the room.

"I had a feeling you might wake up first," she said. She crouched down next to Caitlin and looked at her. Julian glared at the villain, though she gave him no notice as she inspected Caitlin. "Do you think she's alright? It seemed like she shorted out for a minute back there."

So something had happened, and Amunet had seen it. Fear rose in him. "What do you want with her?" Julian demanded.

Amunet turned to look at him. "I need to teach her a lesson, and you're going to help me." She touched Caitlin's arm. "Oh Caity, wakey wakey!" She said in a sing-song voice. She frowned and stood when Caitlin didn't respond. "Maybe a bit more time, then? You don't mind waiting a few more minutes, do you?"

Julian had his gaze locked on Caitlin in concern. He heard Amunet laugh at his refusal to respond. "Yes she'll have to be awake for this. I can't have her miss that soppy expression pointed at her."

"You will be caught," Julian said, flicking his eyes up to her. "It's only a matter of time."

"Isn't it always?" Amunet said dryly. She started moving closer to him. "I do just love how you heroes always say the same thing. You'll be caught, you won't get away with this, blah blah blah. I've heard the lines so many times, and here I am, yet again," she raised her eyebrows, "getting exactly what I want."

"You want her to work for you again," Julian said boldly, "but she never will."

Amunet reached his side, and her eyes flashed dangerously. "We'll have to see about that, won't we?" she put a hand to her mouth in mock regret. "Sorry, I will. You'll be dead."

He swallowed hard, trying to force his own fear down and come up with some sort of plan. As scared as he was for his own life, he was still more concerned about Caitlin at the moment. He hoped she woke up soon. He needed to know if she was okay.


There was a familiar weight around her wrists, and Caitlin noticed the power dampening cuffs first as she woke up. Then the dull throbbing in her head caught her attention, and she winced. Some of the headache was probably from the sleeping gas, but she thought most of it was from that moment she'd been caught between Snow and Frost. That had never happened before. Not like that. She knew it had only happened because of the gas ruining her transformation, but it was still terrifying to think about that double consciousness happening again. She shoved that to the back of her mind as she opened her eyes. She had to deal with Amunet.

She took a second to look around before sitting up, and spotted Amunet and Julian in the middle of the room. Julian saw her move, and the look of relief on his face was clear as he lightly smiled at her. Amunet turned at his change of expression and also smiled, although hers was more satisfied than relieved.

"Well good morning, Caity," Amunet said in that cheery tone. "I was just beginning to worry. How's the head?"

"Fine," Caitlin said.

Amunet tsked as she walked closer. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But let's catch up, shall we? What did happen back there?"

"You kidnapped us," Caitlin said, keeping her expression even. "After you went through a lot of trouble to leave me messages."

"So you did notice!" Amunet exclaimed happily, clapping her hands. "I so hoped you would get the one from the scene. Of course I knew you'd see the one in your apartment, but the impact is so much more powerful when you're already on edge, don't you agree?" she smiled. "Of course you do. Did Chilly see the message as well?"

She studied Caitlin's expression carefully, and a victorious gleam entered her eyes as her open mouth formed a smile. "She did."

Caitlin hated that she had been read so easily. "Why did you bring Julian here?" she asked, feigning innocence. "You wanted me."

"I do want you. Unfortunately, your little rebellious phase means you need to be punished." She gestured at Julian. "He's important to you. And don't try denying it," she added at Caitlin's determined look. "I didn't realize how much until yesterday, when he stayed the night with you."

"You were watching her?" Julian asked.

Amunet actually turned to face him. "You can't really be surprised at that?" She looked at Caitlin. "You expected it, didn't you?"

"It crossed my mind," Caitlin said.

"See, that's why I miss having you around! You get it!" She shook her head at Julian. "You don't. Yes, I was watching, hoping for something just like this. I was beginning to think I'd have to look into your work life to find something to use against you, dear, and do you know how boring that would be? No, it's much better that you brought this one to your apartment. And when you went with him after setting that little trap for me? I almost let you have the night together, but I just couldn't wait any longer."

Caitlin had been trying to undo the cuffs while Amunet spoke, but stopped now, staring Amunet down. She was definitely afraid, but her anger was almost overpowering her fear at the moment. She knew Amunet was only explaining things to get a reaction out of her. She wanted to torment Caitlin before actually taking her revenge.

If she didn't have the cuffs on, Caitlin was positive Frost would be in charge. She wished there was a way to get around them, but she tried to transform and couldn't. At least, she stopped trying after a few seconds, because that dull ache in her head spiked. She closed her eyes against it, and when she opened them Amunet was right next to her.

"You really did a number on yourself, didn't you?" she asked. Caitlin thought there was actual concern in her voice. "We'll have to get it sorted out after. Which reminds me: we should get started."

"Amunet, wait -." Caitlin called.

Amunet walked over to Julian and cut the rope binding him to the support beam with a wickedly sharp piece of metal. He moved as if to race over to Caitlin, but Amunet grabbed him by the collar, holding the sharp metal to his cheek. It scraped him, but not enough to make him actively bleed.

"Imagine if I'd put this to your neck," she chastised him. "It might have killed you early." She pushed him forward, walking him closer to Caitlin, and pulled him to a stop a few feet away. "This should be fine."

Julian met Caitlin's eyes. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't you dare apologize," Caitlin said.

"Any other last words?" Amunet asked. She shoved Julian down to his knees, and a shock went through Caitlin. There was nothing she could do to save him.

Julian shook his head slightly. "Don't take the blame on this. I know you, Caitlin. None of this is on you." She could see that he was scared, but he was still trying to reassure her.

The ache in her head was spiking again, slowly increasing in pressure as she looked at Amunet. "You aren't actually going to do this," she said, trying to be convincing. "You know you'll never see me again if you hurt him."

Amunet looked at her. "You think so? I'm a very persuasive person. And I think I've been more than generous just now, giving you a chance to say goodbye." She reached her hand out, and a bucket of metal scraps slid over to her.

"Amunet, please don't do this!" Caitlin cried, straining forward and abandoning all attempts at pretense. Amunet stopped for a second. Caitlin knew the talking had reached its end, and Amunet would really kill him unless she convinced her not to. Maybe if she went back to working with her, Julian would be set free. That would be worth it. That had to be what Amunet wanted to happen. "Leave him out of this," she begged. "I'll come back to you, but you have to let him go."

"That's right, Caity. Beg for him. It won't make a difference. You need to be taught a lesson."

"Caitlin, don't worry about me!" Julian said.

Amunet flicked her hand, summoning metal shards to her fingertips. She brought the sharpened point of her index finger to Julian's neck, nicking him there. Scarlet beads immediately stood out on his skin, one running down to his collar. Caitlin's head burned with pressure. "First blood," Amunet said, inspecting the scarlet drops on the piece of metal. "We'll need much more than that." She glanced at Caitlin with a trace of fake regret, though Caitlin saw the eagerness behind it. "This could have been avoided."

She raised her hand and started slashing it down, and something inside Caitlin snapped. She screamed as the pressure built, inside her head and around her wrists, where the cuffs were. It was all pain and fear and hatred, and she wasn't aware of anything for a second as what should have been impossible happened, and her powers exploded. The room became coated in ice, shards flying everywhere and a thick mist covering everything. The pressure abruptly faded, as if it had been spent, and took with it the ache in her head that had been there since waking up. The cuffs fell off her wrists with a dry crackle, and she ran to where Amunet and Julian had been standing automatically.

Through the fog she could see Julian was still on his knees. That meant he was alive. She zeroed in on Amunet and stopped, her rage overwhelming her. Her awareness dimmed for a few seconds, and then Frost stalked forward, her hand curled with the ice waiting to be used against the woman.

"I guess your cuffs don't work as well as you think," Frost said.

Amunet's features twisted with rage. "We can do this just as easily without them, Chilly."

Frost whipped her hand up, closing freezing fingers around Amunet's throat. The skin on Amunet's throat started irritating immediately, turning pink and then starting to tint blue.

Amunet brutally thrust her hand up to Frost's forearm, and a horrible crack split the quiet. White-hot pain shot up all the way to Frost's shoulder, almost making her pass out at first. She managed to stay standing. With great effort she ignored that arm, letting it fall painfully to her side as she used the other hand to send a column of ice at Amunet. Amunet barreled backwards, stopping a few feet away. Frost knew she only had a few seconds before Amunet was back up, but she needed them to recover herself. Her breathing was ragged as she tried to push down the agony in her arm.

"Caitlin!" Julian cried.

"Get out of here," she said, keeping her eyes on Amunet as the villain stood. She fought down a wave of nausea as she moved her arm experimentally. She couldn't fight effectively like this, with only one hand. Especially when she jumped and rolled to the side to avoid a mass of metal. When her forearm touched the ground, she actually lost her sight for a second, it hurt so much. Once she sprang back to her feet she placed her left hand over her right arm, summoning a blast of cold. If she could just numb it, she could deal with it after Amunet had been beaten. It seemed to provide a little relief, though she doubted it would last long.

"Look out!" Julian yelled from across the room. Unfortunately, she couldn't completely dodge it in time as she finished numbing her arm, and the shard grazed her shoulder. She held her hands at the ready and faced Amunet with complete hatred.

"I'm still going to kill him," Amunet said, furious. She covered her fist in a metal glove. "Though now I might have to kill you too."

She lunged forward, fist pulled back to strike. Her blow collided with the shield Frost made, which cracked but held together. Frost pushed back with the shield, trying to keep Amunet's attention from the ground as a thin trail of ice started climbing Amunet's legs. She needed a few seconds to solidify it enough to be stable…

The ice shield cracked, making Frost stumble. She sent an extra burst at the ground, securing the ice around Amunet. In the second Amunet took to look down and realize she was stuck Frost was right next to her, landing a solid punch to her face.

Amunet used her metal to break through the ice trapping her to the floor, but while she did Frost sent a wave of cold at her, hitting center mass and sending her to the ground. Frost stalked forward and grabbed Amunet by the collar, letting the hand that held her start to freeze Amunet.

As crystal started spreading on Amunet's body from that hand, Frost coated her other fist in ice and drew it back.

She could see a flash of shock in Amunet's face, and before the meta could react she struck her. "Déjà vu?" Frost asked shortly as she punched her again, and a third time, keeping her in place with the hand gripping her collar. Amunet's torso had a film of ice over it now, starting to reach her arms and legs. Her eyes were half-closed. "You did this to me once. How does it feel on this side?"

She punched once more, this time releasing her hold on Amunet and letting her fall to the ground with the impact. As soon as Frost stopped the flow of her powers she cried out. Her arm wasn't numb anymore. The furthest thing from it, it flared every time she moved.

She stared down at Amunet, who was still moving. "You won't hurt him," Frost said. She met Amunet's eyes as the meta strained to rise. "You won't hurt anyone."

"Caitlin, no!" Julian yelled.

The focused frozen mist hit her forehead, and Amunet fell back.

Julian reached Frost's side, looking anxiously between her and Amunet. "Is she -?"

"She's not dead." Frost glanced sideways at him. "Though we would be better off if she were."

"Hey!"

Frost whirled at the masculine shout to see people rushing into the room and stepped towards them without hesitating. She pulled her hands back and thrust them forward, sending a vast amount of ice in their direction that instantly formed a wall blocking their progress. Their voices muffled to almost nothing.

"Well that was effective," Julian said.

Frost looked at it to see how it would hold, and then dropped suddenly to her knees, her left hand reaching for her right arm instinctively. Julian was kneeling next to her in an instant, bracing her up with steady hands and looking at her with fear in his eyes. Except in this case, the fear was for her, not because of her.

"Caitlin, tell me what's wrong," he urged.

Frost actually came close to smiling at him. Almost. "Used too much energy," she said offhandedly.

"And your arm?"

So he was observant after all. "Broken."

He looked around quickly. "I need to find a phone. Will you be alright for a minute?"

She stood, against his protesting look. "You can't defend yourself. I'm going with you." she started walking towards the doorway that was free of ice, taking the few seconds she was ahead of him to breathe a little more carefully and try to wake up. She shouldn't be so exhausted. She'd done this much and more in fights, hadn't she? Yet she could barely feel her feet as they hit the floor. Even her broken arm, which she knew hurt like hell, seemed a bit less sharp now that the immediate danger was gone and her adrenaline was leaving her in waves. She needed to keep up the front until Flash got here, that was all. Then she could rest.

They found a phone in the next room, in the pocket of a security guard returning from a walking inspection. He wasn't hard to convince to talk, once Frost asked nicely. Once he told them where they were she knocked him out and then reached for his phone. Thoughtlessly, she used her right hand.

Julian noticed her wince and picked up the phone himself. Frost looked at the doorway as Julian called the Flash, alert for any more guards. "Caitlin," Julian said gently, a minute later. She didn't respond, and started when he touched her left arm. She turned her head to look at him. "Caitlin, you can relax."

She wanted to ignore him and hold on a little longer, until they were definitely safe, but her body had other ideas. She stumbled backwards as she started retreating into the back of her mind, her awareness dimming as Caitlin's grew. Apparently she was out of energy. Oh well, Frost thought sleepily. At least she'd finally gotten to beat Amunet.

Caitlin gasped in shock and pain as she came back to herself, leaning heavily against Julian in a small room.

"Hey, it's okay, I've got you," Julian soothed hurriedly, correctly interpreting her sudden panic. She moved to face him, desperate for answers. He let her move, but kept one hand on her left arm.

"What happened?" she asked. "Where's Amunet?"

"It's all done," he said. "We're just -."

"Caitlin!" Barry's voice yelled. "Julian!"

Julian opened his mouth as if to call back, but Barry was there before he had a chance to, looking at them carefully. His gaze rested on Caitlin for a few seconds before he zoomed into another room, and then appeared next to them again.

"I'm gonna run Amunet to lockup," Barry said.

"Caitlin needs medical attention."

Caitlin looked between them. Her brain was telling her to say she was fine, but she was exhausted and confused and still a little scared because she didn't know what had happened, so she stayed silent. Barry said he would be right back and rushed off, and Caitlin looked in the direction he had gone, wondering what the scene looked like. Frost had come out, that much was clear. "How did you get the cuffs off me?" she asked.

When Julian didn't answer Caitlin looked at him. "It had to be you," she said.

There was minor alarm in his expression as he said "Caitlin, you destroyed the cuffs yourself."

"That's not possible," she insisted.

"You don't remember anything about the fight? Not even right before?"

"Not really," she said. "But that's normal when Frost takes over."

"You used your powers as Caitlin," Julian said. "Brown hair, brown eyes. You only became Frost once you were free."

She stared over his shoulder, straining to remember. The last definite thing she could recall was Amunet taunting her, raising her hand to kill Julian, and then – there was something after that, very hazy, and she focused on it. She knew her head had felt like it would explode, and thought she remembered her hands feeling really cold… She'd been angry.

Her mind was too tired to figure it out at the moment, and she leaned against Julian, closing her eyes. His hand touched between her shoulder blades soothingly as he loosely held her, careful to avoid her right arm. "It doesn't matter right now," he said softly. "The important thing is you're alright."

She clung to him as they waited for Barry to come back, wanting nothing more than to leave all this pain and confusion behind her and fall asleep holding onto him.

A/N: There's chapter seven! I hope you enjoyed the fight. Don't worry, there's still a few things to explain next chapter.

I really like Amunet's character, and hope Caitlin gets to face her again in the show. I was excited to write this chapter because of their interactions.

But tell me what you think (of the chapter, the characters... up to you!). I love hearing from you. Thanks for reading!