"You've spent the most time with him," Harrison had said.

Even that wasn't enough time. There were mere moments, strung together with hours of solitude. No wonder I'm not quite sane anymore.

Cisco puts on his glasses before placing a hand on my arm. He begins to narrate what he sees.

"I'm in... some back-alley, I can't really tell where. Wait- there's some posters for a country singing act at a bar. Solitary Pigeon. Rip-offs," he says with a snort.

"Do you see Zoom?" asks Harrison. "Be certain you're not vibing Claythorne's dopple by accident."

"I don't see her... I don't see Zoom either. Wait! He just went past. Oooh my g-you weren't lying, Kat! I wonder if he saw me..."

I pull my arm from his hand, jerking him back into reality.

"Thank you, Cisco." The words are heart-felt. Sincere.

He pulls off his glasses and nods at me.

"Thank you," I say a little more stiffly to Harrison. He's been kinder than I deserve, and I owe him the words. He nods as well.

I leave.

I'll walk every street of this city to find him, I think to myself, setting out to do just that.

I walk for a very long time. The sun sets and the city's night-life begins to buzz, illuminated by neon and streetlamps. The backalleys aren't safe, I'm certain, but I'm careful. I avoid people. And I feel-deep down-that even if trouble finds me, Jay will get to me first. Whatever the reason behind his avoiding me, he can't hate me.

My steos grow heavy and my breathing shallow as the night wears on. The sun rises, and I'm too tired. But I press on just a little further.

I find Cisco's alley. It must be... there are the posters he described all plastered to one wall-the only place I've found them in this city.

I slump against the opposite wall, sitting on a flat wooden crate with the bricks of the building behind me pressing into my back. I wait.

A man comes out of the bar's kitchen with the trash. He gives me a look mixed with confusion and pity.

The sun moves overhead. A few people have seen me as they walk past. I'm growing hungry, but I don't dare move. I could miss him by seconds.

The man comes out again. He sets down a paper plate with some food before going inside without a word. I lean forward to take it gratefully, feeling the brick's imprint tattooed on my back.

The sun sets. Lights flicker on. No lightning flickers past.

I fall asleep, my face pressed against the splinters of my crate, gone wet with tears.

I wake to a pale sun and the sounds of traffic, blocked by a dark form and a familiar voice.

"Come on," says Harrison. He lifts me gently from my lying down position. "Let's get you back."

Back. At first I think of Zoom's lair, dark and comforting. Then I see S.T.A.R. Labs, bright and... hopeful.

Something like a sob shakes my frame, and I grip the edges of my crate. Why can't I have both? Why can't I have hope and Jay?

Where is Jay?

"I know," says Harrison gently with a bit of a grunt as he hauls me to my feet. "I know what you're feeling."

I know he does.

He has both, I think. Jesse and S.T.A.R. Labs. Earth-2 and Earth-1. His old life and his new one.

I allow him to help me to the S.T.A.R. Labs van. I get in. During the drive, neither of us say a word. We don't have to.

We understand.

I've been looking forward to this chapter ever since Kat came to S.T.A.R. Labs. I knew I wanted her relationship with Harry to progress, but it took me some time in doing so. I really hope you all enjoyed this bit, because I loved writing it almost as much as I disliked writing avoidant Time Remnant!Zoom.