We're in the double digits people! Whoooot! Thanks y'all for sticking by me and for your words of praise and encouragement. It means so much to this lowly authorette :)

*~*~ToL~*~*

Persephone's recovery is much slower than she expects it to be. Because of her temporary disability, she stays with her father and sister in her childhood home, something she hasn't done for a very long time. Initially, she thinks it'll be extremely awkward, being in her teenage room once more (the cringe-inducing boy band posters and paraphernalia, oh god), but it actually turns out to be very soothing, in a way she didn't think possible. As she lies in her old twin bed, staring at her large, life-sized poster of Superman, she feels a strange sort of peace overcome her.

Ever since she left her childhood home, she has never really given a thought to how much things have changed for her. She is an independent woman now, far from the unsure, unconfident teen she used to be. Being here now gives her the chance to reconcile with herself, past, present and future. Before, she had never really acted upon her feelings for Barry. But now, seeing him lying at S.T.A.R. Labs, thinking that she may never have another chance to tell him how she's truly – always – felt about him…that scares her more than anything else.

And so Persephone West finally decides to tell Barry Allen how she truly feels about him. Whatever happens after that, will happen.

Persephone is "cured" from her "disability" in less than a week. The hospital-supplied physical therapist, in awe, tells her that it should have taken her a much longer time for her muscles to return to their normal state, but in some miraculous turn of events, it seemed as though her muscles were never in atrophy to begin with. At that news, Persi turns to her father and sends him a victorious smirk, standing up from the wheelchair and giving it a small kick. Joe rolls his eyes at her childishness, but concedes that she's free to go home.

With a quick call to Kelsey (who spends the first ten minutes squealing her excitement of having Persephone up and about), Persi is ready to do just that. She decides to take a shower first, however, because her body seems to be just craving water and knowing Kelsey, several pictures will be taken before Persephone steps at her front door. She has to look at least slightly presentable for the social media avalanche that's going to begin when everyone finds out she's out of her coma.

As she waits for the water to warm up, Persephone busies herself by struggling to put her abundant curls into some sort of ponytail. After a few minutes of futile aggression against her curls, she gives up and slips into the shower, relishing the steaming hot water cascading down her back. Her impossible hair grows laden with the water it catches, and she feels tendrils of curls tickle her shoulder blades as they hang low behind her.

Sighing in contentment, the older West twin begins to hum softly and sway slowly, losing herself underneath the showerhead. Her fingers go from roaming with a purpose, to roaming aimlessly, following trails of water as they flow down her body. Persephone is at her ultimate peak of relaxation, and she doesn't want to leave the shower for any reason at all.

Water begins to pass through her skin, but Persephone doesn't notice. Her translucent skin begins to steam in response to the heat, but she doesn't notice. As she steps out of the shower and begins to towel down her body, puddles of water are left at her feet and but she still doesn't notice.

Before she leaves the bathroom, Persephone West takes a look at her reflection in their large anti-fog mirror, and a blue-eyed, blue skinned alien stares back at her. Her skin shines like a pool, and when she moves, her aqueous body ripples with her.

For a long moment, Persephone stares at her reflection. And then she begins to scream.

*~*~ToL~*~*

What a cliffhanger! I'm kind of evil, aren't I? *evil laugh* suffer readers! Suffer!

But actually don't, I really love you guys, I'd be sad if I put you through any sort of pain.

See you tomorrow for another (maybe cliffhanger-filled?) chapter! Please leave your thoughts of love (and contempt, I'll take those too).