Part 5

Barry walked into the Press Box Bar he spotted Cisco, Eddie and Hartley sitting at a table in the back. He walked over to join them.

"Hey guys." Said Barry

"Hey Barry." Said Cisco

"Cisco, why did Cait leave work early today?" asked Barry

Cisco looked at Hartley and then Eddie. All three of them looked away from Barry. None of them wanted to be the one to tell him that Caitlin had been attacked by Hunter today.

"Guys what do you know?" asked Barry

"Zolomon, got pissed at Caitlin for reporting his constantly asking her out. So he grabbed her and shoved her into a wall. He did it in front of a cafeteria full of people. Dr. Wells included." Said Hartley

"Is she ok?" asked Barry

"Other than being scared and some bruises yeah. Besides Alex called a girls night to take care of her." Said Cisco

"She will get a restraining order. So that asshole won't be able to go near her. He got fired today." Added Eddie

"So that is why she was at the station today? Why didn't she come up to see me?" asked Barry

"Caitlin, was scared and upset when she talked to Joe and me. Barry, she knows how you are going to react to this news. You are her best friend. You are the one person she trusts to never hurt her." Said Eddie

"Why didn't she tell me?"

"Well maybe it's because she doesn't want to see her as weak. Barry, I think of Caitlin as one of my best friends. Even after working with her as long as I have. I don't know her as well as I would like. But I do know that she doesn't want anyone to think she is weak and can't take care of herself." Said Cisco

"Cait is the strongest person I know. I could never see her as weak."

"That is the thing about Caitlin. She doesn't see herself the same way others do. Barry, you have known her longer than anyone here. Joe gave me a little of her background. That her mom has not been there for her." Said Eddie

"Dr. Tannhouser, is very focused on her career and it came at the expense of her own daughter. After her dad died Caitlin and her mom moved to Central City and in next door to my parents and me. My mom went over to welcome them. Dr. Tannhouser was polite. But seemed bothered that we were there. Other than to say her name Caitlin didn't say anything that day. But a couple days later she was in the backyard and had found a bird with a broken wing. My mom and I helped her patch it up. She and I became friends taking care of it. I remember watching her smile as the bird flew away. I introduced her to Iris. The three of us started to spend nearly every day after school together." Said Barry

"Iris told me that Caitlin is the main reason she passed her science classes in high school." Said Eddie

"Caitlin is a genius." Said Barry

"Dr. Wells recruited her himself. He like never does that. He went and talked to her the day she presented her thesis to get her to come to STAR labs. He knew a couple of her professors and asked them to keep him informed about promising students. When he found out about Caitlin he went to talk to her himself. Especially after who he heard who her mother was. He knew that she already had a place promised to her at Tannhouser Industries just by being the daughter of the owner and CEO." Said Hartley

"Cait didn't want to live in her mother's shadow." Said Barry

"So she came to STAR labs. We are glad to have her." Said Cisco

The guys sat and talked for a couple more hours before heading home.

Hunter sat in his Ford Explorer across the street from Caitlin's apartment. He watched as Alex Danvers and her annoying sister and that bitch Iris West. He also saw three woman he didn't know head into the building. It wasn't long before he could see the six girls join Caitlin in her apartment. He was not going to let those bitches stop him from taking what he wanted. Caitlin would be his no matter what. He always got the girl he wanted. Caitlin Snow was going to learn the hard way that she wouldn't get away with saying no to him.

Ralph Dibney was a detective with the CCPD and had been given the assignment of following Hunter Zolomon. Ralph knew that this man had a history of stalking and violence towards women. But the charges never could stick. None of the women his creep had gone after even took him to court. Ralph while he had never actually met the young scientist Dr. Caitlin Snow had seen her. She came by the station at least once a week to drag that CSI Barry Allen to lunch. He had to admit if he wasn't already in a committed relationship with his long time girlfriend Sue he might ask her out. But then again maybe not. While he wasn't dumb he was not in the same class as Dr. Snow. His phone rang and he answered.

"Hey Joe. Yeah the creep is watching the apartment. Dr. Snow looks to be in for the night. Your daughter and a bunch of her friends just showed up with pizza, snacks and other stuff." Said Ralph

"Thanks for doing this Ralph. When Zolomon leaves head home. Trust me Dr. Snow is safe with those ladies. Sara Lance is an expert in a number of marital arts and her sister Laurel is an expert shot with a hand gun."

"Good to know. Looks like he is leaving. See ya tomorrow."

Ralph drove off and headed home.