A cold winter's day was coming to life outside. Caitlin thought that it was fitting. The cold was reflecting her mood, or rather her fears. They'd dealt with Mirror Master and Top both were now locked up within the Pipeline, in a place where their powers would be of no effect. There was no excuse not to talk to Barry about what he had learned, and so here they were in their flat, pictures of them on holiday decorating the walls. Barry was sat before her, holding her hands, as she felt her heart hammer. "I don't know where to start." She says, hearing the quiver in her voice.
Barry squeezes Caitlin's hands, he fighting the urge to scream himself, he doesn't want to lose Caitlin. He remains calm and says. "Why not start from the beginning? How did you get these powers?"
Caitlin nods. "When I went missing. I got kidnapped by someone calling himself Alchemy. He asked me a lot of questions about you, about what you were doing and what your capabilities were. I didn't understand why he was asking me those things, so I said little. He mentioned that he had sent the Rival and that the man had failed to do as he had asked. He then mentioned that I was part of his plan. He did something, said something, there was a great flash of light and then next thing I knew, the ropes binding me together were frozen off." she shivers a little, and Barry pulls her to him.
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Barry asks, thinking of how Caitlin had clung to him when he'd finally found her.
Caitlin pulls away and inhales sharply. "I was scared, I still am. I heard a little about what my Earth two counterpart was like, and I was terrified that if I told you then, you'd leave, that the team would leave. I didn't want that."
Barry cups Caitlin's face and whispers. "I would never leave you Cait. I love you."
Caitlin feels tears running down her cheeks. She hates herself for saying the words that have long fought within her. "I know, but everyone who has ever said that has left me."
Barry is momentarily taken aback, then he asks. "Who?"
Caitlin's vision is blurred by the tears, running a track down her face. Her voice quivers as she replies. "My Dad, he died. My Mom disappeared. Ronnie⦠I don't know why you would be any different."
Barry takes a deep shuddering breath. He holds Caitlin's hands in his. "Cait, look at me." His girlfriend's green eyes focus on his and he says. "I love you Caitlin. And I know I might be reckless sometimes, but I promise you, I will never leave you. I couldn't if I tried, I love you, and I want to be with you. Nothing will ever stop me from being by your side."
Caitlin nods, then allows Barry to pull her to him. She whispers into his chest. "You promise?"
Barry's heart aches at how pained Caitlin sounds, but he kisses the top of her head, and says. "I promise." Caitlin moves her head from his chest, and looks at him and he says it again. "I promise you Caitlin, I will not leave you. Not now, not ever."
Caitlin nods, smiling weakly. "I'm sorry about this." A silence follows then, as they think over what to do next, it passes unsaid between them that this is something they will decide together, as a couple, as a family.
Barry breaks the silence hesitantly asking. "Could you ask your mother? She might be able to help."
Caitlin laughs shakily. "I considered that, but I don't think that would do anyone, any good. I haven't spoken to my mother in years, we didn't exactly part on the best of terms."
Barry fights his curiosity, now is not the time to ask about that, instead he suggests. "What about going to Earth 2, we could find Harrison and Jessie and get their help."
"We could, but what happens if they refuse to help? After all, Killer Frost did do a lot of damage on their earth, from what I've been told." Caitlin replies, feeling her and Barry's frustration mingling together.
Barry runs a hand through his hair. "Then, what about trying something at Star Labs? We could see if there is anything that would change the make-up of the gene?"
Caitlin scrunches up her lip for a moment, chewing on it as she thinks about what Barry suggests. "I think that would be worth a go. But I don't want to detract from efforts to bring Wally back."
Barry sighs, that's just like his Caitlin, always thinking about others. "Joe and Iris won't mind. Hell, neither will Wally. I know they'd want you do whatever you need to, to feel like yourself."
Caitlin nods, seeing the sense in that. She looks at their entwined hands then at Barry and says. "Thank you, Barry."
Barry smiles. "It's nothing." He leans forward and presses a kiss to his girlfriend's nose.
