March 10th - 2014

"Alright Professor stein, you ready to see if this works?"

"You're sure this is safe Cisco, that quantum splicer of yours is wholly untested and-"

"It'll be fine, besides, it's why you're out in the middle of the desert, just in case."

Suddenly, a trigger is remotely activated, and the two are separated with a very large explosion out in the New Mexico desert. As the dust clears, two men are found in the crater at the heart of it, Geiger counters registering safe levels of radiation from the nuclear separation of both individuals. A few minutes later a van rolls up helping both to their feet and, in Ronnie's case, providing a new set of clothes.

"I still can't believe he was right, I mean separating them through quantum vibrations to isolate both, where the hell did he come up with that?" Caitlin was mostly tending to her now liberated romantic partner, having been heavily focused on the successful separation of firestorm, so she could have him back.

"It's a long story, one that's not for me to tell, but trust me, Zalost knows a lot more than he lets on, about everything."

Several hours later and multiple medical tests to make sure the two were in perfect health, outside of a higher than normal body temperature. They were deemed able to go home, Professor Stein opting to return to his wife Clarissa, while Ronnie spent most of the evening catching up with Caitlin and getting back in touch with his fiancé.

"So, what was it like, being stuck with the professor for months?"

"It was mostly a struggle, I was barely conscious throughout it. But I remember a few times it felt like I could reach out, guide us just a bit, only to return deep inside."

"That explains the shower incident" she smirked, teasing the horrified Ronnie, he was sure Stein was just as uncomfortable when he re-asserted control.

"At least we're free, though Cisco said that Stein and I will need to re-merge every so often or else there could be some kind of nuclear instability. Stein seemed to agree after going over the math."

"Speaking of the good professor, I hear he was a rabbi, and I've waited for months hoping I'd get you back, do you think he'd be willing to officiate our wedding?" Ronnie smiled passionately, embracing his beloved. A few days later, a wedding was held, and the two were married, Cisco having solved the merging and unmerging problem by modifying the splicer and ensuring they remained stable. As well as having a small wedding, they even managed to get Zalost to be present via telepresence thanks to Cisco.

"I promise I'll tell you all about it when I get back, doctor snow, I'm just worried you guys won't believe me when I tell you the whole story, it's kind of a wild tale."

"It can't be any crazier than my husband, who merges with an old professor and becomes a superhero."

"True enough, by the way, I know it was short notice, but I managed to send you guys something in time for the wedding, it's not much, but you've already been incredibly helpful in understanding my abilities from a scientific perspective, and I know you've been through a lot, so a friend of mine told me a story about this thing called a hōzen. It's got a lot of significance in Buddhist culture, but primarily represents both re-connection and an unbreakable bond, so much so that it'll guide you two back together no matter what." She seemed surprised but thankful for the gift, as there were two identical necklaces with arrow shaped stones, the kanji for fire written on Ronnie's and Ice written on Caitlin's.

During the next few months, as metahumans started cropping up, Ronnie and Stein learned to merge willingly, choosing to help regardless of the danger but always coming home to their wives. Stories would tell of a burning man showing up in Central City and Keystone City fighting monsters and super powered people, always protecting the innocent and putting an end to evil's plans. Eventually Barry Alan would awaken, Firestorm's experience guiding him in his first steps towards becoming a hero, and the duo along with Zalost who'd return from abroad to aid them would save central city, and possibly the world many times.