Caitlin clenched the thin paper in her hands. She was in the confines of her home, a decent-sized apartment with decent rent and a decent view. Caitlin preferred living on the outskirts of town―not quite the suburbs, but more peaceful than the busy city. Living in an apartment, she had all types of neighbors. The nice elderly couple that lived across the hall, the family of four that was always running around upstairs, the college dropouts who probably smoked pot every day, etc. It was a simple little life. Caitlin felt normal.

Caitlin didn't know for sure if they knew she was Killer Frost back on their other earth, but they weren't scared. Or at least she thought they weren't. She didn't see them often, despite living in the same building. Caitlin left early for work and came home late, often opting to stay at Patty's. Patty gets off work early on Tuesdays and Fridays, and that leaves the weekend unless there's a lot of work to be done at the police station—which seldom happens.

Occasionally they cancel, whether Caitlin's busy with a new scientific breakthrough or her blonde friend agreed to go out with some other friends. It's not that the former didn't like her home—it was just so cold. Caitlin hated the cold. Having to bundle up, the frightening chill up her spine, too many layers restricting her from doing simple tasks; it all gave Caitlin a headache. It reminded her of past too—something she wasn't yet ready to acknowledge.

The paper in her hands was from one of the many MISSING posters around town. She stared at the picture of the boy. Stared and stared. She stared until her eyes grew sore. He was a handsome boy—is a handsome boy. William. A pretty name, too. Apparently born ten years ago but Caitlin had never seen him on their previous earth—and Caitlin knew everyone when she was Killer Frost. Was he conceived here?

Barry's words echoed in her mind:"There is a kid missing. Do you even know what he looks like? Do you even know his name?" She wasn't hurt. She was just disappointed. She'd heard some great things about him. From the way he welcomed Patty to town to how he attends charities and fundraisers when he's not busy helping the CCPD solve crimes. "This isn't some game." He spoke to her as if she was a child. Like she was less. Part of her agreed. She should go to hell. The other part just wanted to know why the nicest guy in town neglected her. There's a kind of innocence in that.

But Caitlin wasn't innocent.

As for today, it was Thursday. She had just gotten home from work, choosing not to stay later than usual to finish her research. She needed some time to herself. It was only half past seven. Caitlin heated up the last portion of her leftover chicken alfredo from a restaurant she, albeit reluctantly, went to with a few coworkers yesterday―and if she said it wasn't entertaining she'd be lying. She'd managed to befriend the snobbiest scientist on her team, Hartley Rathaway. He was the brightest one of all, exceeding even her intelligence, but was casted away by his family for his sexuality. His direct approach was a nice refreshment for Caitlin, his disgust and rudeness toward everybody almost comforting. She relished in how brutally honest he was, which was more than she could say for anybody else. They were celebrating his birthday, and even though he initially fulminated, he gave in―everybody likes being complimented or praised, even if they don't show it.

Caitlin was getting ready to enjoy a night in; dressed in a solid black T-shirt and flannel pajama pants, with her brownish hair in a small ponytail; the television's colors dancing against her pale skin. Her warm, fuzzy socks were warming her feet as she desperately waited for her plate to heat up. The chicken alfredo had been delectable; mouthwatering, even. With a side of one of the most luscious wines she'd ever tasted, all insecurities she had about eating publically abandoned her immediately as the group began the feast. She didn't know why she was so surprised, really; Star City was much bigger than Central, dotted with numerous amounts of high-end restaurants. The exact location of Mercury Labs was rather strange―any map would tell you it's in CC, but its close proximity with Star might change your mind. Besides, a multi-billionaire scientific research laboratory might want to associate itself with a large expensive city than a smaller, burger-loving town.

The microwave beeped and Caitlin foolishly hoped her dinner still had the same flavors as the day before, but it was nowhere near as fresh. Just as she was about to dig in and watch the local news, the extraordinary happened: the doorbell rang. Patty was the only person to have ever rung that bell, and there was no way she'd be bothering Caitlin unless it was urgent. Huffing, she set her plate down on the coffee table opposite the TV and made a fairly sluggish walk to the door.

"Hi," said a scrawny-looking man with a sheepish smile.

Barry Allen.

Caitlin stared at him. Why was he here, at her apartment? How did he know where she lived? What did he want?

He held a bag in his hands, awkwardly shuffling it back and forth, from hand to hand.

He furrowed his eyebrows and Caitlin noticed the small indent of his cheek and the thin lines on his forehead. She saw how his eyes roamed over her body, taking in her probably strange appearance as a normal human being. She figured he must be used to Frost's outfits.

"Uh… I-I'm here to apologize," he explained. With the tilt of his head and one hand scratching his nape, he leaned back a bit. "What I did in the forest―yelling at you―it was rude and unacceptable. I, um, I let your reputation precede you because, let's be honest, it's not that good―" and then he panicked "―I mean, um, sorry, I didn't mean that in a bad way, even though y'know, you kind of were bad, in, like, an evil way―but not anymore―!"

Caitlin's pinkish lips curved upward slightly, listening to his rambles like it was the most enjoyment she'd had in months. "It's fine," she replied with a soft voice. "I deserved it."

She didn't know what specifically she'd done to him or his family in their past life, but she found solace in taking responsibility for Killer Frost's mistakes. It reminded her she was Caitlin, no longer hiding in the shadows under that facade. Sure, it also made her feel extremely guilty for all the pain she had caused, but she was rather used to humiliation and disappointment.

Barry gave her a fixed look; his emerald green eyes shining with something she couldn't quite describe as confusion was plastered on his face. "No, you didn't. You don't. I realize that now. I shouldn't have been so quick to judge you because of your past. So, uh, I'm sorry, and thank you for trying to help. Really, we need all the help we can get to find William―his parents are worried sick―so, uh, maybe you can come to future searches..? If there are any, I mean, if not… well, I hope we can still see each other, um, Caitlin."

Caitlin found his babbling cute. In an adorable-puppy-kind-of-way.

"Oh! Patty―she, uh―she told me you liked Jell-O? I didn't know which flavor, however, so I may have bought all? Well, not all, but the basics, y'know. Um, if you don't want it, it's okay, but consider it a peace offering, maybe?"

He fumbled with the bag, but eventually brought out cherry-,orange-, strawberry-, and lime-flavored cups of Jell-O. He stacked them and ungraciously offered them to her like a gawky teenager giving his first crush a Valentine's Day card.

"Thank you," whispered Caitlin ruggedly as she stepped closer to him to collect her peace treaty. She loved Jell-O, especially the strawberry-flavored one. However, the way her hands maneuvered against his arms as she touched him through his sweater caused a blush to rise up her neck. Caitlin disliked human contact a lot―she barely touched Patty as it is. Oh, she was going to kill Patty. Why couldn't she have said something basic―like chocolate? Caitlin liked chocolate. Then again, why didn't Caitlin just invite Barry inside? Or why couldn't Barry have just given her the bag with the Jell-O inside instead of having to take it out for her?

He nodded and gave her a small grin. And with that, he left.

Oh, how she was going to kill Patty.