Earth 1
11:45pm
"Barry, what in the world are you doing here?"
Caitlyn Snow rubbed her tired eyes, which had become burnt out after slaving away in front of a computer screen for the past 3 hours. She had just dozed off at her desk when she felt Barry's hand gently touch her shoulder, assuming he had sped there judging from his suited attire. She looked up and met his gaze; those were just about the saddest eyes she had ever seen on him.
Before she could even ask, Barry ushered her to sit back down and sat across from her. She could feel her heart begin to race as she examined the stress of his features- the bags under his eyes, his pale face, disheveled appearance. She prayed with everything she had that he had just returned from a battle and that disaster had not struck. Unfortunately, she had no idea what was coming.
In his own strong stoic way, the way that had been able to lead Team Flash for the past 5 years, Barry leaned forward and took Caitlyn's hands. She resisted the urge to flinch away, because she didn't want to hear what he'd have to say next. God, what happened? She swallowed her fear and met Barry with a strong stare. Although she feared the worst for herself and her team, she had never seen Barry look so…defeated. She decided that he didn't have to be the only strong one.
"Barry?"
"I…I need your help Caitlyn."
"Anything."
Suddenly, the fear subsided, and the word spit out before she could think. She had long since been able to better handle her powers and resist changing to her alter-ego, but this was different. She was reading Barry far closer than probably ever, and she could see he was cracking. Rather than panic, it commanded her to protect him, and she squeezed his hand a little tighter and offered him a small reassuring smile.
With that, Barry broke and he told her everything.
He had broken down and ended up laying in her lap, his cries muffled as Caitlyn held him close. She couldn't begin to digest the magnitude of what he had told her, so she continued to handle what she could in keeping Barry strong and letting him lean on her. This was too much for him to do on his own. When he had calmed down, he sat back up, his face red and puffy like an injured child who was just comforted by his mother. He sniffled, and stood back up trying to save face. "God, I'm sorry Cait…I don't.."
"Barry," Caitlyn stood up, holding her breath to keep her heart from breaking into pieces. She held his face in both her hands. "Don't." She pulled him into a tight hug- "Joe" style, as she liked to call it. "We're gonna' find them if Central City has to fall for it." Barry had never seen so much conviction from Caitlyn, but no matter where it came from it was just what he needed right now. He squeezed Caitlyn thankfully. She waited, then pulled away from him, swallowing her own anguish at the news and fear that had crashed into her. Now was not the time. Iris, the twins, Barry- they all needed her now. She sat down at the desk that had ceremoniously become Iris' spot prior to her pregnancy and began firing up the computer. "We have work to do. I'm gonna' redirect the satellites to report any fluctuations in the continuum in the last 24 hours. If this is a meta, let alone a Speedster, then this is the best way to figure out their mode of attack." She began furiously typing away, never taking her eyes off the screen. "But I can't do all this alone." She paused and turned around to face Barry, who looked in that moment to be drawing all his strength from her, the same look they had imposed on him all these years. This was it. There was no room for mistakes. "I'll call Cisco. Get Harry. Now."