Frostbite

Gasp! I never updated this! What was I possibly thinking? I'm so sorry! Seriously, this story has just been sitting in my docs! Not my shoes. That would be uncomfortable. Sorry for the insanely long time between posts. I keep getting these weird, cryptic reviews that seem like threats so I've really slowed down on my posting. Also, I've been training hard, working full-time, parenting full-time, and trying to work on some original stuff. Not excuses, just letting you folks know what is up. I'm trying to get stuff up though. That said, there is one chapter left of this story after this one. Let me know if you folks are interested. I'm still working on Identity, Amoung the Living, Slow Burn, and I have some new stuff. I hated what they did with season four to the point where I stopped watching.

As always, I make no monies from this, and I own none of these characters. I'm just playing in the sandbox. Reviews are welcome. I will admit to mild influence from the TV show Brisco County Junior. If you haven't watched it, go do that. Not for the story, just cause it was a fun show and Bruce Campbell rocks.

Enjoy! - CT

Chapter 2: Frost Bite

In the woods, Cisco wondered if this was the end. He'd been seeing visions of this night for a long time now, and he was starting to think that he knew how it would finish. Killer Frost was determined to kill him, while Cisco was terrified of hurting his friend. The young engineer did not see things going his way.

Neither of them were expecting a sound like a thunderclap followed by some highly creative swearing. When the anger and frustration died from the voice, the last words were understandable. "Damn nation, Haylee, you know you can't run on ice." Despite the twang, both hero and villain recognised the voice. All the same, they were shocked to see Hells step into the clearing.

"How do," he greeted them, touching the brim of his hat.

Looking him up and down, Killer Frost snorted and smirked. "This is what they send for your reinforcements?" She asked in obvious amusement.

"Honey, I ain't reinforcements, just a touch of help," Hells informed her. Reaching out a hand, he caught a snowflake. "I must say, your world sure is different from mine. Now, I'm guessing you're Doctor Caitlin Snow."

"Wrong," Frost hissed. "The name is Killer Frost." As she spoke, she launched several icicles, intent of killing both men. On the ground, Cisco steeled himself for death, while Hells frowned and casually stepped aside. He dodged most of the deadly ice, though one managed to graze his hip. He didn't seem to notice. On the ground, Cisco was shocked to feel ice cold water splat against his suit.

"See, on my Earth, folks consider it impolite to try and kill somebody without knowing a thing about them," Hells said.

"I know about you," Frost snarled. "Hells Wells, the man with a flatulence issue." She laughed harshly.

"Watching on halovid does not qualify as knowing," argued Hells. He seemed oddly calm which irritated Killer Frost.

Frost shrugged and stalked closer. While she preferred to do her damage from a distance, she would settle for killing him up close. "Not like you know anything about me," she said, lunging at him in an attempt to catch him in a deadly blast of frozen air. Stepping sideways and then forwards, he dodged the attack and caught her.

"I was expecting that," he replied, grinning. It angered Frost. His casual avoidance of her attacks and relaxed attitude pissed her off. Trying something new, she formed ice shards all over her body, impaling his hands and sending one into him.

"Were you expecting that?" Killer Frost asked as she pulled away from her victim. As Hells staggered back and dropped to the ground, the ice queen wiped his blood off her hands and onto her outfit. Realizing that some of the blood had splattered her face, she glared at him.

"Yes," Hells groaned from the ground. "Initiate heat and repair." The words were nearly a whisper, but they triggered something.

Staggering back, Killer Frost clutched at her chest. Pain was building throughout her body. "What did you do?" She looked to Hells for an answer, but blood loss had already carried him into unconsciousness. Gasping, she caught a wet tree branch. All around her, the temperature was rising, melting the snow and ice.

"What?" Cisco watched, too scared to hope. Killer Frost was gasping, colour rapidly returning to her skin.

"It burns," she practically shrieked. Crying out in anguish, she collapsed into the ground. The clearing fell silent, droplets of water from melted snow making a "blat, blat" sound as they dripped from leaves to the forest floor. Ignoring everything else, Cisco watched the still body of Killer Frost.

Eventually, he grew restless and slowly approached her. Hope blossomed in his chest when he saw Caitlin's bright red-brown hair. Her skin colour fed the growing hope, but Cisco held back, watching the closed eyes. The eyelids twitched as the woman on the ground groaned and then started sobbing. The sobs were heart wrenching, more emotional than anything Killer Frost had ever done.

"Oh, god, what have I done," was whispered. As she spoke, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut.

"Caitlin," Cisco called to her. It was a plea. Let it be Caitlin. The engineer stepped closer, one hand up, ready for a trap.

"I'm so sorry, Cisco," she whimpered. Her golden brown eyes flicked up to gaze at Cisco and his heart lept.

"No, Caitlin, I'm sorry," he practically sobbed as he threw himself at her. "I should have stopped Julian, but I wanted you to live. I'm sorry I was so selfish." They held each other as they cried, huddled together on the muddy ground.

After a moment, Caitlin pulled away. "Iris! Cisco, Savitar is going after Iris!" She faltered, seeing blood smeared on his face. "Dr. Wells!" Eyes widening as she remembered the man she'd impaled, Caitlin jumped to her feet and raced over to the body on the ground. Forcing down feelings of guilt, she assessed her patient. "We need to get him to S.T.A.R. labs now. I think I nicked an artery."

"Right, I'll take us." Stepping up, Cisco grabbed hold of his friend and Hells Wells.

"Cisco, are you sure? Remember what happened the last time you did an intradimensional jump," Caitlin nagged, knowing what he was planning.

"I've learned a lot," Cisco replied. "Besides, he brought you back. That makes him worth the headache." Taking a deep breath, he opened the portal and with Catilin's help, carried Hells through.