Hello everyone. Of course, since my last upload was speedy, this one would take so long. Ah my brain works against me sometimes and this chapter took a bit to conjure up. Today's update is centered after episode (5x10) focusing on Cisco creating the metahuman cure. I'm pretty sure the cure will end up going badly somehow because that's how the show rolls. I'm really confused why Barry wasn't updated on this in a scene, but I guess it gives me more content to write about. This chapter is kind of sappy but I like the sap.

stars90: …I'm not sure if your review is positive or not.

SavitarKhione1419: Aww, you're too kind. Thank you.

Write-To-You: 1) Thank you. Ahahaha I'm glad I hit your emotional spots. 2) I really liked episode 5x16 with the Cicada story but boy they are really stalling the Thawne storyline. And yes I will continue to write all the moments they don't talk about.

Feel free to write a review on your thoughts.

P.S. Two things: first I want to write a moment of appreciation for Arrow due to the recent news of its cancellation. I started out as an Arrow fan before starting with The Flash. I love Stephen Amell and I really hope Oliver doesn't sacrifice himself for the crossover. Another is I teared up a little while writing this chapter because of recent rumors of Carlos potentially leaving the show. I don't know where this fanfic will go but I guess we will have to see in the future.

Chapter 12: We're Here to Make a Choice

"What the actual hell are you doing? Please tell me that you are joking." Barry demanded.

"See, this is exactly why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you would react like this, but Caitlin insisted on keeping you updated." Cisco huffed as he raised his arms in frustration.

"No more secrets, remember?" Caitlin said from the side.

"You actually think creating a metahuman cure is a good idea?"

"I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't think it was." Cisco retorted back.

Barry scoffed. "Yeah, like all your previous ideas have had a solid record? Remember how your little cold gun backfired on you? Who's to say this won't either?"

"Last I checked, me creating the cold gun turned out pretty good for us. Captain Cold is a legend and a hero."

"He didn't become those things because of your cold gun. He is a legend and hero because of himself as a person. Because deep down I knew that he had a good heart."

"Right, I forgot. You were the one who made the right call about Snart." Cisco retorted sarcastically as he rolled his eyes. "You know what, don't throw my mistakes in my face and act as though you have such a great record yourself. Case in point or should I say Case in Flashpoint."

Barry and Cisco glared at one another fiercely.

Caitlin placed herself between Cisco and Barry in hopes to break up the tension. "Guys, stop."

"Not until Cisco stops with this idiotic idea." Barry side stepped from Caitlin and approached Cisco.

"That's not your call to make." Cisco stated bluntly. "What I do on my free time is my choice and will you look at that, I'm off the clock." Cisco said as a final word and made his way towards the exit.

"We're not done talking, Cisco."

"Well I'm done talking, Barry. I'll see you later, Caitlin." Cisco spoke as he opened a portal with an interdimensional extrapolator and walked through without a second glance back.

Barry made a move to chase after him but was stopped by Caitlin grabbing onto his shoulder. "Barry, wait."

"Do you agree with this? Please, please tell me you don't." Barry said pleadingly as he stared down at Caitlin.

Caitlin faltered at Barry's fierce gaze and looked away to which Barry sighed and turned away.

"Do you realize how dangerous this actually is if Cisco actually creates a functional metahuman cure? How dangerous it is for me? Or Nora?! God forbids if somehow it gets used on Nora and she is permanently stuck here in this timeline!" Barry said with a raised voice.

"Yes I – "

"Or how many people could be hurt if we didn't have the power to stop them?"

"I know bu—"

"Or the amount of repercussions that could occur due to this course of action?"

"I know that there could be fatal consequences." Caitlin commented in response.

"Good. Then don't stop me from waking Cisco up from this stupidity." Barry said plainly as he turned away from Caitlin.

"Barry, wait."

"Don't stop me Caitlin." Barry waved off Caitlin as he began to walk away from her.

"You don't think Plastique would have taken the cure?"

Barry halted immediately at Caitlin's words, turned around abruptly and glared darkly at Caitlin. "Don't. Don't you dare use her against me." Barry muttered as he clenched his teeth.

Caitlin straighten herself and stood strong in response. "How about Magenta?"

"Cait-"

"You got your say and it's my turn now." Caitlin said shortly in a scolding tone and stepped closer to Barry.

Barry gulped deeply, realizing now just how much he angered Caitlin.

"First, I don't appreciate you insinuating the idea that I am so stupid that I would not see the potential harm that this cure can cause. I am first and foremost a doctor who vowed to do no harm, thank you very much."

"I didn't mean it in –" Barry attempted at an explanation but was silenced by Caitlin's glare.

"My turn." To which Barry could only shrink down like a school kid and nod.

"Have you actually given any thought what having this cure could do for us and not in a negative way? To have a viable cure would mean that we have a solution to our metahuman criminal activity that we have been fighting since day one you have signed up to be the Flash. That we would have an actual good solution to our problem, or have you been so blind that you think us locking up every metahuman we find in our secret basement is the way to go? We both know that we are nowhere near to forming a metahuman rehabilitation program due to running into an issue one after another, each increasingly worse than the last. Being busy is an understatement and all we've done for the metahumans we've encountered is create an angrier metahuman that hits us harder than the first time when they escape." Caitlin exclaimed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"We are only locking up the bad metahumans." Barry offered meekly.

"I've been in that cell before." Caitlin contradicted.

"You're different."

"That's because you have a soft spot for me. And okay let's say that you are right and that every metahuman we've locked up only has a criminal agenda. We haven't exactly been offering any good metahumans a great message when we've locked up every metahuman we've met. I'm sure there are more metahumans that we haven't met and will most likely never meet because why should they let themselves be known to us. So, we could just lock them up like everybody else? Plus, who are we to judge whether or not if metahumans can only stay bad? Look at me or Snart? If Snart can change, anyone can but we must give them the chance first. If we don't see the good in them, who will?"

"We can do that, we can offer them a chance without creating a cure." Barry pointed out.

Caitlin sighed and sat down on a chair. "That's a start and there's some truth to that but the help that we can offer them is limited. Not every metahuman are like us who wants to keep their powers. Not all of us were gifted one day with an extraordinary ability that could aid others. Plastique, The Weeper, Fallout are examples of that. Fallout lived out the rest of his life in a containment cell, isolated from everyone until DeVoe decided to utilize his powers. I think for us to truly help metahumans, we should be able to have a solution to help those who don't want to have their powers. They deserve to have a choice, we all do."

Barry got closer to Caitlin and leaned on the desk next to her. "Is Cisco creating this cure to help others or is it really to help himself?"

Caitlin glanced upwards at Barry and her eyes softened. "Maybe both."

"Then maybe we should talk to him about that, about what is driving him to do this and try to talk him out of it. I see that there can be benefits to this cure but there are so many potential ramifications. I don't think I can risk that Caitlin."

Caitlin was silent for a moment before turning her chair to face Barry. "You know, Frost tried to disrupt Cisco today from continuing with the cure. She hasn't really talked to me about it, but I know a part of her is concerned about what the cure would do to us. Although my powers didn't come from dark matter so maybe it wouldn't really have an effect. Hmm actually that would be an interesting part to study." Caitlin said as her mind started to go off track.

"Cait." Barry said while snapping his fingers in front of her face.

Barry's voice gained Caitlin's attention back as she cleared her throat and blushed a little from being sidetracked. "Sorry, biology curiosity, couldn't help it."

"Of course, Dr. Snow." Barry teased as he smirked.

"Anyways back on topic. Cisco may not know this, but I heard what he said to Frost. He wants to have a normal life with a wife and kids. A life where his loved ones didn't have to worry about whether if the next mission that he goes on with us would be the last one or not. You and I both know how difficult it has been for Cisco after Gypsy and him broke up. Plus, after his run in with Cicada, it's understandable for him to realize exactly how dangerous and lonely his life can be."

"He doesn't have to choose between having a family versus being Vibe. He can have both. I know that better than anybody."

Caitlin smiled slightly. "That's exactly what Frost said. The problem is Cisco doesn't want to be like you. Your situation is different. You're lucky, Barry. Not everyone is going to be fortunate enough to have someone like Iris. To not only understand this bizarre world that we live in where we're in constant danger, but to charge in full force into the danger just to be with you. Although this was not always the case especially when you went into the Speedforce. Iris now accepts what being the Flash's wife is. Yeah, maybe Cisco will find someone who will share the same views as Iris, but he also has a high chance of falling in love with someone who doesn't. I'm the best testimony to how messed up relationships can get when all of this is mixed into it. We can't fault him for wanting to be with someone; for wanting a normal life. So, if you can't see why Cisco would want to create this cure not as the Flash, but as Barry Allen: his best friend. Then there's nothing that I can say that would convince you otherwise." Caitlin said as she stood up.

Caitlin and Barry locked eyes, the slight disappointment in Caitlin's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Barry.

"Caitlin." Barry struggled to gather his thoughts.

"Just think about it." Caitlin said as she made her way out of the Cortex but not before placing an interdimensional extrapolator onto the desk.

*In the Tannhauser Industries Black Ops Site.*

"Cisco, hello? Earth to Cisco."

Cisco who had been deep in thought looked up at the sound of his name to be greeted with Caitlin's concerned eyes. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Caitlin sighed and placed her tablet down and approached Cisco. "Maybe we should take a break for now, grab something to eat."

"No, I just lost my train of thought for a moment. Come on, this cure is going to create itself."

Caitlin crossed her arms with scepticism. "You lost your train of thought for over an hour now. Come on Cisco, I know you bothered by your argument with Barry. You can talk to me about it."

Cisco turned away from the computer and rubbed his eyes. "There's nothing to say. Barry reacted exactly like the way I thought he would. Really no surprise there.

"Liar." Caitlin gave Cisco a pointed look.

Cisco leaned back on his chair. "Okay, so maybe I was a little surprised that he didn't supported me more. He's my best friend and I thought he would be like you and had my back on this. In all the years that I've known him, there has only been a handful of times that we have disagreed, and this is new territory for me. I hate arguing with him, but this is important to me. He just doesn't get it."

"No, I don't, well not completely." Barry said from behind Cisco as he walked into the lab.

Cisco swerved around and stood up quickly. "How did you know we would be here?"

Barry lifted the interdimensional extrapolator Caitlin left behind for him.

"Caitlin?" Cisco said accusingly as he looked back at Caitlin.

"What? I hate seeing my two best friends arguing just as much as you hate arguing with Barry."

"Look if you came here to continue what happened in the Cortex, then you can save your breath." Cisco directed at Barry coldly.

"Can we just talk? I brought a peace offering." Barry asked as he raised bags labeled with Big Belly Burger. "I got all our favourites."

"You can't bribe me to agree with you." Cisco tried to remain strong but was outed by his growling stomach. "Traitor." Cisco whispered towards his stomach.

"It's been a long day for us. I'm hungry and I thought you guys would be to. I'm not here to berate you because I hate this as much as you Cisco. We don't fight, that's not us. I mean it when I am saying that I just want to talk." Barry said as he placed the bags down on the desk.

Cisco eyed Barry with suspicion and grabbed one of the bags before spacing himself away from Barry. "I'm listening."

Barry looked at Caitlin to find her nodding her head and giving a supporting smile. Barry smiled back and handed her a bag before starting.

"Okay, first, I want to apologize for what I said about you making mistakes. It was uncalled for and I'm sorry. I spoke out of anger and that was wrong of me. Its just…its…I hope you can see where I am coming from when I spoke against this cure."

Cisco opened his mouth to respond but was stopped by Barry. "Please, let me say what I need to say." Cisco ate a fry instead of speaking.

"This life. My life ever since we joined together all those years ago have been riddled with darkness and pain. These powers have brought unrelenting enemies left and right and don't get me wrong. I love these powers, I love being the Flash. I love the euphoria when I save someone and the feeling I get when I move so fast that everything around me slows down. These powers have brought so much for me, you two being prime examples of that. But as awesome as these powers are, they also have a big responsibility attached to it. A responsibility that I have come to terms with. The understanding that my powers placed a target on my back. A constant challenge that many would love to say they have conquered. These powers may be the end of me but on the flip side they are everything to me."

Caitlin and Cisco made eye contact, both seeing how much Barry has been drained by his hero status.

Barry interlinked his hands. "It's clear to me now that because of what I do, because of my identity as the Flash. Any enemies that I have or haven't met will never stop. It's easy for me to take any beating or pain that my enemies can inflict but my enemies have become a lot smarter than that. To truly get to me, my family and friends are the key, they know that, and many have chosen to utilize it. That is why I opposed you on this cure, Cisco. If I were to lose my powers somehow; if I am rendered incapable to be the Flash. How would I protect Iris, Nora, Joe, Cecile, Ralph, Wells…the two of you from my opponent's punishment? Nothing would make me feel more useless." Barry finished as he shuddered at the thought.

"Barry…" Cisco's words being caught in his throat.

"It's the Flash's responsibility to protect Central City but it's Barry Allen's responsibility to protect those who are dear to him."

Cisco looked down and clenched his jaws. His mind conflicted with what he should do at this point.

Barry stood up and placed his arms behind his back and gazed at Cisco intensely. "However, as much as I want to protect your safety. I also want to protect your goals, dreams, and desires."

Cisco met Barry's eyes.

"So, Cisco, if you want to create this cure and if you want to take it to live a normal life. Who am I to be the one to oppose that wish? I only ever wanted what was best for you as your best friend and if this cure is what it takes to make you happy then I am on board 100%. I will always be weary and concerned, it comes with the suit. But I trust you, I trust you both and I wouldn't want anyone else to create this cure other than the two of you. "

"My thought process with this cure since I started was to help others. To be a solution. I knew the risks, but I couldn't understand why you wouldn't be on my side. It was inconsiderate of me to not see how much is at stake for you. I'm sorry for not being your friend on this and thank you for trusting me. I promise you that I will take all precautions when it comes to this cure." Cisco assured.

Caitlin nodded and stood next to Cisco. "We will make sure of that because it's the same for us. We want to protect you too Barry."

Barry smiled. "Friends?" Barry directed his question at Cisco.

"The best."

The three gathered together in a hug with matching grins. Caitlin raised her hands and ruffled Barry's and Cisco's hair. "Ahh, my two knuckleheads are back."

"Hey, watch the hair." Cisco attempted to move away from Caitlin, but she gripped onto Cisco harder and ruffled his hair even more.

"Take in all of my affection." Caitlin ordered.

Barry from the side chuckled at Caitlin's antics which proved to be a mistake because it caught Caitlin's attention.

Caitlin released Cisco and ruffled Barry's hair in response. "You too, mister."

"Caitliiin." Barry whined as he tried to grab onto her hands.

Caitlin grinned and released Barry. "Sorry, couldn't resist when my favourite boys finally stopped being stupid and made up."

"Geez, remind me to never fight with you again Barry." Cisco stated as he attempted to rearrange his hair.

"Agreed." Barry said in response as he sat down and reached for one of his dozen burgers.

Caitlin and Cisco sat next to Barry and joined him. Their paths may diverge in the future, but they will always have each other and of course Big Belly Burger.

That's a wrap on this chapter.

-V