It didn't take Cisco long to bring Caitlin her suitcase. By the time he had arrived at the hospital, she was starting to feel tired again. He opened her door softly and peeked his head around the corner.
"Can I come in?" Cisco asked gently and she nodded from where she was laying on Barry's chest.
"Of course, Cisco," she murmured and he eased himself inside the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
"I brought you your clothes but I'm sure the nurse will need to make sure all of the extra stuff I packed can go with you into the treatment facility," he muttered and Caitlin could tell he was working hard to suppress his pain over the fact that she had to go at all.
"Oh Cisco," she murmured and he blinked his eyes rapidly.
"Eleven diet pills, Caitlin Snow? Are you insane?" Cisco demanded in a quiet voice and she had to blink back her own tears.
"I'm sorry. I need help," she muttered and Cisco stared at her for a moment longer before walking towards her and hugging her fiercely.
"At least you can finally admit it," he murmured and she laughed as tears escaped. He kissed her on her forehead before releasing her. He sat down in the chair next to her bed and held her hand tightly. Caitlin smiled softly at how safe she felt; the first time she had felt safe since her father's death. Sighing, she squeezed Cisco's hand.
"You'll come visit me, right?" Caitlin asked quietly.
"Every day," he replied with conviction. Caitlin dipped her head gratefully in his direction.
"Thank you," she murmured and he squeezed her hand.
"You don't have to thank me, Cait, we're best friends. You'd do it for me," he replied gently.
"In a heartbeat," she murmured. The conversation was left there and she felt herself drift off to sleep, head resting against her boyfriend's chest and hand being held by her best friend. She was safe.
Caitlin woke up a few hours later and heard Barry and Cisco talking.
"I just want to say thank you, for not leaving her," Cisco said quietly. She didn't open her eyes, not quite ready to alert them to the fact that she was awake.
"I'd never leave her," Barry replied softly and Caitlin felt her heart beat warmly.
"I just want you to know that she's really going to be needing us over the next few months, Cisco. We can't disappoint her; no matter how many bad days she'll have," Barry added and Cisco hummed his agreement. Deciding it was best if she got up, Caitlin started shifting around and the two men fell silent. She peeked one eye open and looked around to spot both smiling gently at her.
"Good nap, baby?" Barry asked softly and she nodded her head.
"Yes," she replied quietly and he smiled gently at her. Just then there was a light knock on her door and Abby poked her head in. She smiled slightly at the three of them before walking inside the room.
"Caitlin, you've been admitted and will be driven over to the patient facility first thing in the morning," Abby said and Caitlin sighed before nodding her head. She knew she needed help bigger than Cisco or Barry could provide her with and she was determined to get her life back on track.
"Alright," she murmured. Abby smiled encouragingly at her.
"Remember, be on your best behavior for the first month and do exactly as your doctors tell you and you'll be out of there in no time. This isn't a life sentence, Caitlin," Abby added and Caitlin knew this was her way of helping. She smiled as much as she could.
"Thanks, Abby," she replied quietly. Abby went to the hallway and rolled a tray in.
"It's dinner time," Abby stated and Caitlin felt her stomach lurch. Barry must've noticed how she had visibly tensed, because he rubbed soothing circles into her shoulder from where he sat behind her. Caitlin drew strength from that and nodded her head.
"Alright," she agreed softly and Abby brought the tray over to her. It held some spaghetti, with a small side salad and a dinner roll. Then, add a glass of milk and Caitlin was staring at some heavy carbs, minus the salad and drink.
"Is it too much of a dream to ask if I can just eat the salad?" Caitlin asked cautiously and Abby looked at her pointedly.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," Caitlin murmured as she opened her silverware. Much like she had done at lunch, Abby stayed in the room with her while she picked her way through the meal. It was harder to eat than her lunch had been and she had to force the desire to expel it out of her mind. When she had eaten as much as she dared, she pushed the plate away from her. Abby frowned but nodded nonetheless and took away the food.
"Like I said, they'll teach you how to eat an entire plate," she stated and Caitlin smiled as much as she could. That's what she was afraid of. Once Abby had rolled the tray out into the hallway and had come back into the room again, she looked at Caitlin.
"How does your ankle feel, Caitlin?" Abby asked and Caitlin sighed.
"Still hurts but I know that's because the muscles and bones are weak," she muttered and Abby nodded her head.
"You're right, but with a little time, they'll be strong again. I can give you crutches to use for the next month but you'll have to have an aid with you so you're not using them for any form of exercise," Abby said and Caitlin almost laughed.
"You're joking, right? How would I be able to exercise in a place like that?" Caitlin demanded incredulously and Abby just smiled.
"You'd be surprised what people can come up with if they're really determined," Abby murmured and Caitlin suddenly wondered if she was speaking from experience. However, it wasn't her place to ask, nor any of her business so she just promised to not use the crutches as a form of exercise and agreed to have an aid with her whenever she used them. Which, would be all the time.
Barry and Cisco were told they had about half an hour left until visiting hours were over and Caitlin frowned. Cisco agreed to go but Barry shook his head adamantly.
"No offense, but I'm not leaving my girlfriend alone the night before she goes to treatment. Give me my next option," Barry stated firmly and Abby stared at him before sighing.
"Alright, I can bring a cot in here for you to sleep on tonight. We'll make an exception considering the circumstances," Abby agreed and Barry smiled as he squeezed Caitlin's hand. Before too long, their half hour was up and Cisco was kissing her on the forehead with the promise of seeing her the instant she was allowed visitors. When it was just Barry and Caitlin again, Caitlin sat up so he could get into his cot. Once he did, they faced each other and Barry traced her upper lip soothingly.
"Tell me where your head is at, sweetheart," he encouraged softly and she sighed.
"I'm really scared about going," she admitted in a trembling voice and Barry interlocked their fingers together.
"I know you are but I'm so proud of you for admitting you need help and willing to do something about it. I'll visit you every time I'm allowed, as will Cisco. And, like Abby said, if you're on your best behavior, you only must be there for a month. It'll be okay, baby," Barry promised softly and it was that promise that eased Caitlin into a dreamless sleep, filled with hope for the first time in a long time.