Part 9

Joe walked into the emergency room and headed right for his friend Henry Allen.

"So Eddie called and told me it is Caitlin." Said Joe

"Yeah. She looks pretty bad. Dr. Lucy Knight is examining her right now. She came in unconscious."

Just then they heard a scream from the room Caitlin was taken into.

"Dr. Allen, Dr. Knight thinks that a familiar face may calm Ms. Snow." Said a nurse

"Courtney, actually it's Dr. Snow and I will be happy to see if I can calm her down." Said Henry

Henry walked to see Caitlin awake and pulling away from the medical staff. He approached slowly and began talking to her softly.

"Caitlin, you are safe. You are at the hospital. Barry is on his way. Your friends Cisco and Alex found you." Said Henry

Caitlin began to relax but still had fear in her eyes.

"Caitlin, you need to let Dr. Knight finish her exam of you. I understand you are scared. But she needs to do this if you want the person who hurt you to pay for this."

Caitlin looked at the woman only a few years older than her and nodded her head.

"Joe, is outside he will need to ask you what you remember ok?"

"Yes." Said Caitlin softly

Henry started to leave but Caitlin stopped him.

"Can you stay? I will feel better if you do." Said Caitlin

Henry looked at Dr. Knight who nodded.

"Sure."

Henry stood by the door as Dr. Knight finished Caitlin's exam. He could see the fear in Caitlin's eyes the whole time. He could also see her biting her lower lip something she did when she was uncomfortable or something was bothering her. Once Dr. Knight was done she signaled Henry to speak to him in private.

"I want to keep you over night just as a precaution." Said Dr. Knight

Caitlin nodded. Henry followed Dr. Knight out and into the lounge.

"How well do you know Dr. Snow?" asked Dr. Knight

"Almost as well as I know my son."

"I would say in my expert opinion that she has been raped."

"How bad?"

"Bad. Henry, whoever did this to her wanted to really hurt her."

"Lucy, thank you for being so willing to help her."

"It wasn't an issue. But your son's friend will have a long road to recovery. The physical injuries will heal as you know. But the emotional ones will take much longer."

"Speaking from experience?"

"My older sister was raped by her high school boyfriend."

"Did she recover?"

"Unfortunately no. She ended up taking her own life. There was nothing anyone could do."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not saying that it will happen with that young lady. But just keep an eye on her."

"We will."

Henry exited the lounge as Barry ran in.

"Dad is Cait ok?" asked Barry

"In time hopefully. Barry, Caitlin woke up. She has been beaten has a broken wrist and some broken ribs. Lots of cuts and buries."

"But she will be ok?"

"Barry, she was raped."

"No. No dad! You have no idea how bad this is!"

"Son, Caitlin is a strong woman. With the support of her friends she will be ok."

"No dad you don't understand. Caitlin, was a virgin."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. She told me that she was waiting until she was sure she was in love with the guy before she slept with him. She hadn't felt that way about any of the guys she dated. The closest was Ronnie back in college. But she realized she didn't love him. Ronnie and her broke up and remained friends. Ronnie told her that he respected her for that choice."

"Sounds like you respect her too."

"I do. Dad, Caitlin is the most amazing woman I know."

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Joe walked into Caitlin's room to see a completely different woman than the one he knew. Her face was bruised her lip was split. Her left arm was in a cast. He could hear her wince in pain when she breathed. But it was her eyes that told him the most. Her once warm and bright brown eyes, looked dull and lifeless. One word came to Joe's mind as he met them. Broken. The one person he never thought could be broken had been by some bastard that wouldn't take no for answer.

"Caitlin?" asked Joe

She turned to face him but said nothing.

"Caitlin, I know that you probably don't want to talk to me. But I need to ask you a few questions."

"Go a head."

"Do you know who attached you?"

"Hunter Zolomon. He raped me."

Joe nodded and made a note on his pad.

"Do you know why he would attack you like this?"

"He refused to take no for answer. I didn't want to go out with him and he didn't like that."

Joe could see tears starting to fall from Caitlin's eyes. His heart broke for the young woman.

"That's good for now. We can talk more when you are feeling better."

"Thanks Joe."

"Eddie and I will get this guy. Don't worry. Barry is waiting outside I'll send him in to see you ok?"

Caitlin nodded. She had mixed feelings about seeing her best friend. She wanted to see him knowing he was safe. But at the same time she didn't want him to see her like this. He was use to seeing her as strong and confident. Not the mess she was now. Joe left and a few minutes later Barry walked in. She didn't say anything or even meet his eyes. Barry walked over to the bed and very gently leaned down to hug her but she pulled away.

"Cait?"

"Barry please don't touch me. I know you won't hurt me. But I can't be touched right now."

"Yeah. Of course. I understand. Just know that I am here for you."

"Barry, they told you didn't they?"

"My dad did. Cait, what that asshole did to you wasn't your fault. I can't work your case. Julian Albert will be handling it."

"You hate Julian."

"More like really don't like the smug brit. But I know he will make sure that all the evidence is in order."

"Can you stay here at the hospital with me tonight?"

"Yeah of course. Once we are in your room I will even sing for you."

Barry watched as Caitlin nodded but she didn't smile. He knew that this was going to be a long road to recovery for his friend.