Hope the wait wasn't too long. Enjoy the new chapter.
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Special thanks to Steve993, jessicabiggs16, Master Skywalker 121, DarkSuspense, godspeed251, Nightbat0204, NeoTyson, and Guest for reviewing the previous chapter.
After getting coffee, Barry and Caitlin walk back to the neighborhood.
"This is nice," said Barry. "You and me. Spending time together like good friends."
"Again, you're being way too soft on me," said Caitlin. "I killed Iris. For that alone, you shouldn't be so nice to me."
"And again, while forgiving you for that is impossible, I'm just happy to know that you're still alive," said Barry, smiling at her.
"I don't understand you sometimes," said Caitlin.
"The important thing is I know you're back," said Barry. "I just hope the others will know someday."
"One step at a time, Flash," said Caitlin.
"I just want to ask you something," said Barry. "After we defeat Savitar, are you gonna stay with us or leave?"
"I... haven't really thought that far, Barry," said Caitlin.
"You should stay," said Barry. "Team Flash is your family."
"After everything I did, they'll disagree," said Caitlin.
"I know I'm the last person on Earth who should say this to you, but you have to stop beating yourself up over this," said Barry. "I understand more than anyone how much pain you've caused, but there's no use lingering in the past. You helped me truly understand that."
"That was Crystal Frost," said Caitlin.
"Same difference," said Barry. "We can discuss your past actions another time. Right now, we have a mission."
"Stopping Savitar," said Caitlin. "It won't be easy."
"But you outsmarted him twice," said Barry.
"That doesn't make it easier every time," said Caitlin. "Besides, if I tell you my plan to stop him, he'll know about it."
"Then you shouldn't talk to me about them," said Barry.
"Agreed," said Caitlin.
"You knew who he was, right?" asked Barry. "What did he look like to you?"
"More broken than you are, to be honest," said Caitlin. "He told me what Flashpoint did to him. He was so consumed by grief and hatred and anger that he lost so much of his sanity and compassion."
"So much?" questioned Barry.
"There is still a part of him that reminds me of you," said Caitlin. "As Crystal Frost, I could see it more clearly. I may not have known what he did to you since I couldn't remember, but when I looked at him, I could see the pain I saw in you and how desperate he was to end it. There is still good in him. Crystal Frost would've helped him."
"It weirds me out how often you refer to yourself in the third person," said Barry.
"When you struggled to juggle multiple identities, it gets to you," said Caitlin.
"But you'll always be Caitlin Snow. It's who you are," said Barry.
"I wish I can believe that," said Caitlin.
"You should," said Barry.
"Still seeing the good side of me, huh?" questioned Caitlin.
"I focus more on that side you, I remind myself of who you really are," said Barry.
Caitlin blushed as she tried to avoid eye contact. She still finds it hard to believe that Barry is actually smiling about being right beside her. She always feared that if he knew she was alive, if he saw her again, he would lash out on her about everything she did to him. Yet, he's repeatedly reminds her how happy he is to know the truth. Maybe Crystal Frost did help after all.
"You really think you can help him?" asked Barry.
"Savitar is a lost, broken soul with a god complex, but I can still see a glimpse of the kind, heroic Barry Allen within him," said Caitlin.
"Then maybe we should stop using our fists and powers to fight this war," said Barry.
The two arrived at Crystal's house. They stared at each other and stuttered back and forth, not knowing what to say to each other. They started laughing nervously, amused at each other's awkwardness.
"Good night," said Barry.
"Good night," said Caitlin.
The two stared at each other again. Slowly, they leaned towards each other. Caitlin stopped herself and planted a kiss on Barry's cheek. Barry felt a little disappointed but he kept it hidden. The two once again looked at each other with awkwardness in their smiles and gestures.
Caitlin waved goodbye to Barry before entering her house. Barry smiles as he walks away.
Caitlin closes the door and heads to the kitchen, only to see a familiar face having a cup of coffee. It was Laurel Lance of Earth-2, a.k.a. Black Siren.
"Well, well, well, look who's back from the dead," she started.
"I see you got my call," said Caitlin.
"When I saw the security footage at A.R.G.U.S., I thought it was a joke, but the note convinced me otherwise," said Laurel, showing Caitlin the note she left for her at A.R.G.U.S. during her breakout.
"Good to see you, too," said Caitlin.
"Likewise," said Laurel with a smirk. "So, what's the fire? Or should I say, the frost?"
"Funny," said Caitlin, rolling her eyes. "Barry knows that I'm alive."
"I saw what happened through the window," said Laurel. "You still love him."
"I will always love him," said Caitlin.
"Then I'm assuming you didn't call me here to help you kill him," guessed Laurel.
"We have another mission," said Caitlin. "Savitar."
Laurel's eyes widened as she removed the cup from her lips, clearly surprised to hear the name.
"He's back," said Caitlin. "And obviously, I can't let him become a god. I have to stop him. Again."
"Shouldn't be too hard," said Laurel. "You made a fool of him twice."
"And I'm gonna try again," said Caitlin. "But first, there's something I need you to do."
"Do I get to knock some buildings?" asked Laurel.
"Afraid not," said Caitlin.
"Bummer," replied Laurel.
"But you do get to see an old friend," said Laurel. "Lisa Snart."
"And how's our Golden Glider doing these days, aside from ruling Central City with her army of rogues?" asked Laurel.
"She's working for Savitar," said Caitlin. "But I doubt she's doing it out of her own free will."
"So, you need me to save her," guessed Laurel. "Any reason you can't do this yourself?"
"Because I'll be busy helping Barry," said Caitlin.
"Gone hero again, haven't you?" said Laurel with disappointment in her tone. "When did you become Caitlin Snow again?"
"I've always been Caitlin Snow," said Caitlin. "I just let my rage consume me."
"And why should I help you?" asked Laurel, crossing her arms. "If you're a hero now, I don't think I'm interested. I think I would rather be in Central City helping Lisa keep it a criminal playground."
"You know me. I wouldn't have asked you to help me if I didn't have a way to persuade you," said Caitlin.
"That's true," said Laurel. "What do you have to offer?"
"A fresh start," said Caitlin. "You always knew I wasn't all Killer Frost. I always knew you weren't all Black Siren."
"Trying to soften me up?" guessed Laurel. "Make me a hero, is that your play?"
"No," said Caitlin. "A fresh start."
"Keep talking," said Laurel.
Caitlin takes Laurel to her room. On the bed is a bunch of files. Laurel opens one of them and raises an eyebrow in response to reading the content.
"You don't have to keep hiding from the world, Laurel," said Caitlin. "You can start a new life."
"And what makes you think I'll accept this offer?" asked Laurel.
"Because I know you," said Caitlin. "All this fighting and killing is just a way to run away from your pain. I chose to purse vengeance on Barry just to ignore my pain. But look at me now. I'm choosing a path to redemption. You can too."
"Giving up screaming at people and destroying city blocks, I don't think so," said Laurel.
"This is about Lisa, Lance," said Caitlin. "When you were locked up in A.R.G.U.S., I came after you. You're my friend and I will always look out for you."
"Don't get all mushy with me," said Laurel.
"The point is that you owe me," said Caitlin. "Consider my offer. Consider helping me save Lisa. She's no underling, we both know that."
"Are you sure this isn't your way of trying to get on Leonard Snart's good side?" asked Laurel.
"To be honest, that kinda crossed my mind," said Caitlin. "But this isn't about earning his trust. It's about saving Lisa and stopping Savitar."
"How long?" asked Laurel.
"24 hours, at best," said Caitlin. "Barry's gonna make a move on Savitar by then, I know it, and when he does, you have to make your move."
Laurel gives Caitlin a hardened look before exiting the room. Caitlin was unsure if she'll cooperate or abandon her. All she can do now is wait.
The next evening...
Barry arrives at an abandoned warehouse in Central City. He stands in the middle of the room, waiting for someone. A bolt of white lightning appears. Savitar shows himself, without the armor.
"I figured you'd come," said Barry.
"Why are you here?" asked Savitar.
"I just want to talk," said Barry.
Now that we've cleared up the Crystal Frost mystery, it's time to direct the focus to Savitar. Wait until the next chapter and you'll see where this is going. Hope you liked this.