Hello everyone, I'm back with another chapter. I'm so sorry about the long wait for an update and I bow to you guys in apology. This chapter will be centered around what happened after the Abra Kadabra events in (3x18) but before the big finale of this episode. I have an idea to have the next two chapters relate to this one as a three-part story so look forward to those next updates. But nonetheless I hope you all will enjoy this chapter.
All characters, story plot lines belong to the writers, producers of The Flash and The CW. I do not own the rights to any of them just the idea is my own.
Feel free to write a review on your thoughts.
P.S. How did everyone feel about the Season 4 Finale if you're caught up? I think it left a lot of interesting topics to discuss in Season 5.
Chapter 5: Cross My Heart.
"Just rest." Julian whispered gently.
Caitlin smiled back at Julian but before she could comply with his words, she needed to know that her friends were okay after Abra Kadabra. "Julian, can you bring in Barry and Cisco?"
"Caitlin, I may not be a doctor, but I really think you should rest."
"I can't rest till I know that they are okay. Please Julian." Caitlin spoke firmly and smiled gently.
Julian sighed in defeat finding himself unable to resist Caitlin's smile and went to go retrieve Barry and Cisco.
Caitlin laid in silence as she glanced up at the ceiling thankful that she was still alive. The situation could have been much worse and for the most part she came out of it unscathed and will live to see another day.
After a moment, Julian returned with Barry and Cisco both of which shared a relieved breath when they were able to see for themselves that Caitlin was awake. "I'll check up with you later Caitlin." Julian muttered as he closed the door behind him.
"My God Caitlin, thank god that you're okay. You really gave us a scare there." Cisco exclaimed as he moved to Caitlin's side and reached for one of her hands.
"You're not going to get rid of me that easily." Caitlin teased.
"Cait, it's not funny, you could have…"
"But I didn't." Caitlin interrupted Barry giving him a knowing glance at the familiarity of the conversation but only this time their roles were reversed.
Barry swallowed and glanced downward at his feet not sure that he was comfortable with having a glimpse at Caitlin's perspective whenever he got injured.
"This is different, I have super healing Caitlin. One wrong move during that surgery and it would have been over for you." Barry replied frantically.
"Well, it's not like I wished to be pierced by shrapnel and have my life placed on the line Barry. My life is at risk everyday and that's what I'm committed to as a member of this team." Caitlin glared at Barry as she responded sharply.
Both Barry and Caitlin continued to make eye contact fiercely which was broken up by Cisco. "Okaaay, hey guys let's tone it down. We won today and arguing like this isn't going to change what happened."
Barry huffed and quickly turned away from Caitlin and Cisco. An overwhelming silence hung over the team as neither were sure what was appropriate to say.
"We could have lost you Caitlin." Barry whispered quietly as he turned around slowly.
Barry's words weighed heavily on Caitlin who now realized what losing her life would have meant to Barry at this moment. With everything that was happening with Savitar and the constant threat that he posed to Iris, it's no wonder that Caitlin's close call with death did not play well with Barry.
Caitlin reached out to Barry. "Barry, I know how much you want to protect all of us but as hard as it is to admit, you can't protect everyone."
"That's my job Caitlin, I'm the Flash. How can I be expected to be the protector of this city when I can't even protect those who I love?"
"Barry that job is on all of us, you don't have to do it alone." Cisco responded.
"Exactly, we're your team members. We're your arsenal that will stand with you." Caitlin seconded.
Barry sighed deeply and hesitantly reached out for Caitlin's hand. "We can't lose you Cait…we just can't." Barry said in a hushed tone as he traced his thumb over Caitlin's knuckles. His best friends hold so much significance to Barry and if anything were to happen to them, it would be the end of his world. However, these are people that he trust with his life and because of that he must put his faith in them just as they do with him. They are his teammates and they will carry Central City together with him.
"Like I said earlier, you're stuck with me." Caitlin replied smugly.
Barry smirked slightly. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Anyways, what happened to Kadabra? Did you guys catch him?" Caitlin questioned changing the topic.
"Yeah we did! With the Flash over here, who phased Houdini out of his escape plan. I wish you had the chance to see it Caitlin. Barry was awesome." Cisco responded as his made wild gestures with his hands in a poor re-enactment of what really happened.
Barry turn bright scarlet at Cisco's words and raised his hand to rub the back of his neck. "…It was pretty awesome."
Caitlin grinned widely clearly proud of Barry. "Is he still here on Earth 1 or is he back on Earth 19?
Barry glanced down, his mood instantly somber. "Gypsy arrested him and brought him back to her Earth. I don't think we will see him again. "
Caitlin noticed Barry's mood change and glanced at Cisco who gave her a sad look and moved his head left to right in a silent no. Caitlin breathed out deeply. This could only mean that in the end Kadabra did not reveal Savitar's identity to the team and once again the team is at a dead end. The problem remains as Iris' life remains in danger. "Barry, it's not over. We still have time to save Iris."
"How Caitlin? We have nothing to go on. We have no idea who the hell he is and I'm no where close to even matching him in speed. I'm trying to look at the positive but as each day passes I find myself becoming more desperate. I was willing to let Kadabra go just to benefit myself. It was selfish but all I could think about was that we may now have a chance at stopping this monster and Iris will be saved. My morals be damned if Iris comes out of this alive. And now what? We have nothing! Absolutely nothing! Once again, useless Barry Allen, who is never fast enough. Damn it!" Barry yelled as he smashed his fist into the wall in rage. Barry breathed heavily as he leaned against the wall in hopelessness.
Cisco walked over and placed his hand on Barry's shoulder forcing Barry to look at him. "Dude you can't think like that. If you think like that then you are letting Savitar win in his mind games. Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Look at yourself today and think about what you accomplished. You whammy punched Kadabra out of a flying vehicle with your powers. Everyday you're getting stronger and you will continue to do so. You have not lost to Savitar. Iris still needs you so pick yourself up and show Savitar, her, and us who Barry Allen really is. Savitar will regret the day he chose to use our love for our team members against us. I don't care how fast he is, we will find a way to fight this like we always do." Cisco vowed fiercely.
Barry pondered Cisco's words. Cisco was right. He can't help Iris like this. He's been given a second chance to save Iris and change the future. This is an opportunity that he can't waste. Barry nodded at Cisco grateful for his support. "Thanks man."
"Anytime." Cisco promised.
Barry glanced towards Caitlin who was looking at the two of them intently. He watched as Caitlin raised both her hands and reached out towards him. "Come here."
Barry recognized Dr. Snow's voice with years of experience and settled his bruised fist in between Caitlin's hands. From Caitlin's left, Cisco laid a first aid kit on Caitlin's lap and Caitlin began to clean out the cuts on Barry's knuckles. "Seriously Barry? Punching a wall? How hot headed can you be?"
Barry frowned sheepishly "Sorry."
"Well lucky for you, it doesn't look like you broke anything." Caitlin uttered as she placed some ointment on his wounds and wrapped a bandage around his hand. "Even when I'm injured, you still like to make me work don't you?" Caitlin said in a joking manner.
"Where would I be without you Dr. Snow?" Barry said in a sweet tone knowing that Caitlin wasn't too angry with him.
"Suck up" Cisco coughed abruptly and quickly looked away as Barry and Caitlin looked at him.
"What is my diagnosis Doc?" Barry questioned as he returned his attention to Caitlin.
"Go grab an ice pack and with your powers I believe you will be as good as new in a half hour max." Caitlin declared as she closed the first aid kit and gave it to Cisco who went to return it back to its proper place.
"Thank you, Caitlin."
"It's in my job description. Barry's Allen personal physician."
"No more then just that, thank you for standing with me, thank you to the both of you. You both have other problems and here I am thinking only about myself. I don't mean to drag you guys with me in my pity party."
"Well if this is a pity party, let me throw my love life in the mix." Cisco offered as he came back with an ice pack and threw it to Barry.
"Let me guess, Gypsy didn't take it too lightly for wanting to let Kadabra go?" said Caitlin.
"Ding ding ding. Turns out he killed her previous partner."
"Wow damn, no wonder she was so driven by this." Barry nodded finally understanding Gypsy's motives as he placed the ice pack on his hand.
Caitlin raised one eyebrow in wonder. "Wait like work partner or like lover partner?"
"Both." Cisco sighed depressingly.
"Yikes, sorry Cisco." Both Barry and Caitlin said at the same time.
Cisco shrugged his shoulders "Yeah well can't do anything about that."
"Have you talked to her about this?"
"Caitlin, I don't know how to talk to her. I don't even know where this leaves us. Maybe this was meant to be, starting a love story between two Earths would have been difficult anyways."
"Does she still have feelings for this guy?" asked Barry.
"No, not anymore." Cisco muttered quietly.
"Then you still have a chance, just find a chance to talk to her. I'm sure you guys can work it out." Barry offered hoping to help Cisco.
"Maybe, man why is love this difficult?" Cisco grunted.
"Hey, at least your love life still has a chance."
Barry glanced at Caitlin. "What? You mean Julian and you?"
Caitlin remained silent and began fiddling with her fingers.
"C'mon Caitlin, that man basically lost his mind when he saw you wounded. There's no way he doesn't have feelings for you."
"You didn't hear what he said last time Barry. I don't know if he can forgive me for lying to him."
"That doesn't even matter. Julian is practically silly putty in your hands." I bet once we leave, he will come in and confess his feelings to you." Barry said confidently.
"Caitlin and Julian sitting in a tree…" Cisco began singing.
"Don't you dare. Francisco Ramon." Caitlin threatened.
Cisco unfazed continued and Barry joined in. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G.".
Caitlin covered her ears to try and mute her friends' voices. "You guys are the worse."
Barry and Cisco were overwhelmed with uncontrollable laughter amused at their friend's reddened cheeks. Their laughter was broken up by a ding coming from Barry's jean pocket.
"Oh, thank god." Caitlin whispered.
Barry checked his phone "It's Iris, she is just wondering where I am."
"You should probably go and check up on her."
"But Caitlin…" Barry started before Caitlin interrupted him.
"But nothing, I'm fine and I have Mr. Annoying #1 over here to keep me company." Caitlin said trying to reassure Barry.
"Hey! I take great offense to that." Cisco said in response.
"Okay, I'll go check up on Iris but if you need anything just let me know and I'll be right back."
"Yeah, don't worry."
"She probably won't even notice that your gone when her lips are busy doing something else. OW!" Cisco shouted as Caitlin smacked his arm. "I meant eating something after such a long day." Cisco said as he raised his hand to rub the spot where Caitlin hit him.
Caitlin rolled her eyes. "Riiiiggghttt."
Barry grinned at the two's interactions. "I'll come back later Caitlin to see that you're okay."
"I'll be right here, not like I have any other choice." Caitlin sighed.
Barry moved towards the exit as Cisco reached over and whispered into to his ear "I'll update you on our two lovebirds over here when you come back."
"You two think you're being so secretive. I'm just going to pretend that I didn't even hear that." Caitlin huffed crossing her arms.
Barry raised his unwounded fist to Cisco who returned his action touching his own fist to Barry's "Make sure it's kids friendly."
Cisco barked out a laugh in response.
"Just leave!" Caitlin shouted in annoyance clearly not amused with her two best friends.
Barry smirked raising his arms in surrender and made his way out of Star Labs feeling lighter that he had in a long time. Barry whistled Summer Nights joyfully not realizing how tragic Cisco's update later will be.
That's a wrap on this chapter. I hope you like it.
-V