Here's the new chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
Leave a review after reading, please.
Special thanks to jessicabiggs16, Master Skywalker 121, romario. hume, TheLifeStruggleIsReal, Clash of the Legends, Dark Suspense, Darkness032, and Guest for reviewing the previous chapter.
At Keystone Park, Barry just sat down on the fountain while he waited for Crystal. After they had coffee, she told him to wait for her at park. Barry waited for nearly half an hour until Crystal finally arrived. Barry was surprised to see how she looked now.
The shopping bag in her hand makes it obvious that Crystal went clothes shopping. She was now wearing a light blue top, a dark blue jacket, and blue jeans. She head a white wig in her other hand. She sits down next to him and puts the wig on.
"Uh, why are you wearing all that?" asked Barry, confused.
"It's part of our therapy session," said Crystal. "I'm guessing this look gives you nightmares."
"Every night," said Barry.
"I'm sorry, Barry, but I've never encountered a patient with your case," said Crystal. "I've met a lot of people suffering from you grief, but you, you meet someone who looks a lot like the person who killed the love of your life and clearly, it's affecting you mentally and emotionally in a negative way."
"So, you think dressing up like Killer Frost is gonna help me?" asked Barry.
"This is the only way I know how to help someone with your case, Barry," said Crystal. "I could your help, though. Tell me. What's Killer Frost like? How does she talk? How does she behave?"
"She's, well, cold, no pun intended," said Barry. "She's aggressive, violent, and has a pretty dark sense of humor. If anyone bugs her, she threatens to hurt or kill you."
"Okay, and what's Caitlin Snow like?" asked Crystal.
"She can be cold at times, but she's nice, gentle, caring," answered Barry, smiling as he thinks about his old friend.
"You really miss her, don't you?" asked Crystal, noticing the look on his face.
"In spite of everything she did, she was still my friend," said Barry, hanging his head in sorrow.
"Another question. Does she suffer from split personality disorder?" asked Crystal.
"I don't think so," said Barry. "According to an old friend, her powers amplify her fears and rage. When she became Killer Frost, her deepest darkest feelings came to the surface. I didn't want to believe it at first, but... I could see the anger in Killer Frost that I could see in Caitlin."
"So, basically, Caitlin Snow and Killer Frost are one and the same?" asked Crystal.
"More or less," answered Barry. "Why are you asking me all this?"
"Because we're gonna do a bit of role-playing," said Crystal. "I'm gonna pretend to be Caitlin. Just play along."
"What? No script?" asked Barry.
"No script," said Crystal.
"I'm not really sure about this, Crystal," said Barry.
"Who's Crystal? My name is Caitlin," said Crystal.
Barry was confused at first, but quickly realized that she was acting.
"So, uh, why are you here, Caitlin?" started Barry, trying to act. "I thought you'd be out killing some innocent people right now. You love that, don't you?"
"Well, maybe I just wanted to see an old friend," said Crystal, trying to sound as gentle as she can, although her tone makes it obvious that she feels disgusted by what Barry said.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. Killer Frost likes killing," said Barry. "I'm sorry if that sounds disgusting."
All of a sudden, Crystal grabs Barry by the shirt and pulls him closer, allowing him to see her angry face up close.
"Don't you say that about me," said Crystal.
Barry sees that she wasn't going to break character no matter what he says.
"Sorry, I just... isn't that why you're called Killer Frost?" continued Barry.
"Maybe, but I'm no animal," said Crystal. "I'm still human, Barry. Don't you see that?"
"I've always seen that, Crys... Caitlin," said Barry. "I've been trying to bring you back, but you keep running away. Why come back now?"
"Maybe it's because I missed you," said Crystal, letting go of Barry.
"All the violence. All the bloodshed. You're just going to give that up?" questioned Barry.
"I just don't know if that's what I really want," said Crystal sadly, trying to sound like she feels guilty of her actions. "Everything I've done, I thought it's what I wanted, but I've been thinking. What good is there to be a villain if I'm all alone?"
"You're never gonna be alone, Cait," said Barry.
"How can you be so forgiving after I killed Iris?" asked Crystal.
Barry was very surprised by what she said. He looks away from her.
"I'm... sorry for reminding you, Barry," said Crystal. "But do you really still see me as a friend after everything I've done?"
Barry could tell that she was still in character. Instead of letting flashbacks of Iris haunt him, he chose to continue playing along.
"No matter what, you are always Caitlin Snow, my best friend," said Barry, looking at Crystal. "Underneath all that cold, you're still you. What happened to Iris is not on you. It's on Killer Frost, and she's not who you are."
"Don't make me freeze you to death, Allen," threatened Crystal playfully.
Barry smiled and laughed a little. The way she said those words sounded almost exactly like how Caitlin would say it.
"What's so funny, Barry?" asked Crystal.
"I'm just glad to see you," said Barry.
Crystal takes off the wig and gives Barry a hug. Barry was confused again.
"I hate to ruin the moment, but what's the point of this?" asked Barry.
"Answer this. Did Killer Frost kill Iris in front of you?" asked Crystal.
"Yeah, how did you know?" replied Barry.
"The nightmares. Lack of sleep. Not talking to anyone, not even your family. I've seen this before with people handling grief, but you, this is worse," said Caitlin. "It only makes sense that you didn't hear about her death. You've seen it. You were there when it happened."
Barry hangs his in sadness as he relives that memory again.
"I don't mean to hurt you, Barry," said Crystal, holding his hand. "I just thought that... since you were haunted by that memory, I thought that reminding you of who Caitlin once was would help. When you think of her, you think of her as the monster who murdered someone you loved. So, I thought that if we did 'this', when you think about her, you will remember her as the friend you loved, and maybe, just maybe, it would help you stop reliving that horrific moment."
Barry didn't say a word, but he looked at Crystal.
"I hope I didn't make things worse," said Crystal. "I really want to help you, Barry, but, again, this is different from any grief-related case I've dealt with."
"Maybe it's best we don't see each other again," said Barry.
"No, Barry," said Crystal. "You pushed your adoptive father away. You pushed your friends away. That's not how you cope with grief. You told me that Joe West pushed his girlfriend, Cecile, away. Who's to say he didn't do that because you weren't there for him?"
Barry looks away from Crystal again.
"I'm not sure if I can help you, Barry, but I am trying my best," said Crystal.
Barry didn't say a word.
"Maybe I should just get out of your hair for now," said Crystal.
Crystal takes out her phone, turns on a certain app, and then taps Barry's phone with hers. Barry looks at his phone and sees that he has Crystal's phone number.
"Call me if you want to see me again for another session," said Crystal.
Crystal grabs her things and walks away, leaving Barry to stare into his phone, wondering if he should delete it or keep it in case he wants to see her again.
Back at Joe's new house, Jesse was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed. She couldn't stop thinking about her recent encounter with Savitar. She didn't want to run away, but Wally insisted they should.
Wally sits down next to Jesse with a bowl of popcorn in his hands.
"Hey, we couldn't have won that fight," said Wally.
"Since when are you pessimistic?" asked Jesse.
"I'm not being pessimistic. I'm just being realistic," said Wally. "Savitar is the God of Speed, the first speedster in history. Jay said that he's been running for centuries. I may welcome any challenge, but I know when to not get cocky."
"But Barry's not in shape to fight him either," said Jesse.
"He'll get there," said Wally optimistically.
"But what if he can't?" asked Jesse.
"Don't think like that," said Wally.
"Wally, he's taking Iris' death too hard," said Jesse. "He's only talking to us again just because he's rejoining Team Flash to stop Savitar. Outside the team, he's still the same mess."
"He just needs someone to remind him that he's not alone," said Wally.
"Yeah, but unlike him, we're not pushing each other away," said Jesse. "When dad died, you didn't leave my side. When Iris died, I didn't leave your side."
"Barry just needs to find a reason to get back and fight, other than guilt," said Wally. "Feeling responsible for Savitar shouldn't be why he wants to get back out there."
"What should it be then?" asked Jesse.
"He just needs someone by his side," said Wally, putting one arm around Jesse, pulling her close.
Jesse smiles in response. She leans closer and gives Wally a kiss on the lips.
"I love you," said Jesse.
"I love you, too," said Wally. "So, mind if we rest and relax for a while?"
"We just got our butts kicked, so I guess this really all we can do now," said Jesse.
Wally picks up the remote and turns on the TV. Wally and Jesse kept each other close as they eat and watch.
I hope this was worth the wait. Leave a review and let me know what you think about this chapter.