"If there's no powers, why is it called the Meta Games?" Barry asked.

Caitlin just stared at him for a second. "More importantly, why would we participate in them?"

"Simple," Cisco said, crossing his arms. "It's your best chance at regaining your dignity. You might be okay with us having seen that video, but I bet Frosty isn't too happy."

From the look on Caitlin's face, Barry thought Frost was telling her exactly how unhappy she was about that fact. Barry was surprised by how willing he was to give Cisco's game a try. He shouldn't be. He'd told Iris he would join her and Ralph this afternoon. He'd almost killed Cicada only a few days ago. He shouldn't let himself have fun. But he found the idea of relaxing with his friends too appealing to deny himself. It was just one day…

"I'm in," he said.

Caitlin quirked an eyebrow at him. "Really?"

"Why not?"

"Because it's stupid."

"Sounds like someone's scared," Cisco said. "It also sounded kind of like Frost."

Caitlin looked at Barry. He partially smiled, giving a slight nod of encouragement. Caitlin sighed. "Fine. But Frost gets to participate too."

"I'm counting on it. I've got one part planned with her in mind." Cisco brought over a dry-erase board. "The Meta Games will have five trials, testing you both physically and mentally. I'll judge each one."

Barry frowned. "You're not competing?"

"We need a judge. Besides, with my hands…"

"Cisco, your hands have healed," Caitlin said.

Cisco rubbed at his left palm. "They still twinge."

Caitlin scoffed. Barry shook his head. "Okay, Gamekeeper. What's the first trial?"

"Since ice inspired the Meta Games, it only feels right to kick them off with an ice-based challenge. Frost, if you'd assist me here."

They looked at Caitlin. "She wants to know why," she said when she didn't change.

"We need to make a temporary arena in the speed lab."

Barry watched as Frost appeared, and had to fight back a smile at the look of complete attitude she gave Cisco. "You need something from me?" she asked.

"I want you to coat the speed lab in ice."

"Done." She walked away quickly, with a smirk Barry wasn't sure was a good thing.

"Just the track," Cisco said, running to the door and peeking his head out. "Just the track!" He straightened and looked at Barry. "She's gonna ice the whole lab, isn't she?"

Barry's smile broke through. "You did insult her."

"Only to get her to do the games."

"Frost might not see it that way."

The speed lab was completely frozen over. Cisco hadn't seriously thought she would do it, and had gone striding confidently into the room. And promptly fallen on his ass.

"Okay," he said, sitting on the ground as Frost chuckled. "Alright, you got your payback. It's easy to slip on ice. Can we be serious now?"

"I guess so." Frost's voice, though always harder than Caitlin's, was gentle, and she extended a hand to help Cisco up. "So what are we doing for the first trial?"

"I'm going to add some obstacles now, and then you two will race. You'll need skates, though."

Barry disappeared and returned with two pairs of ice skates: one gleaming white, the other shining black. "I haven't worn ice skates since I was a teenager," he said. "This should be interesting."

"I haven't skated on ice that wasn't mine… ever."

Cisco smiled. "You two stay out here. I'm gonna go set up our course."

"Do you need me to keep you steady?" Frost asked.

Cisco elected to ignore her. He also ignored their snickers as he slipped again in the mouth of the lab. They were laughing at him right now. He knew how clumsy they both were. He'd been waiting for an excuse to do something like this for ages.

He could really use the laughter their mishaps would bring about.

A/N: The next chapter will actually be the beginning of the Meta Games, I promise. The only reason I'm not posting the first trial yet is because I'm still working on the later ones. But I'm planning on working on them today and tomorrow, so I'll update again soon. Who do you think should win the Meta Games?