Caitlin watched as Cisco, Iris, and Barry all laughed at whatever Barry had said. She was feeling conflicting emotions – she had taken the serum Julian had made for her and it had done its job. Partly. It had taken away Killer Frost. It had also reduced her life span by half as it originally was. Now she was set to die within the next five years. And... she couldn't stomach Barry, Cisco, or the rest of her team finding out. So, she left. Packed a bag, took a taxi to the airport, and didn't look back. Didn't say goodbye.

Three years later.

Caitlin laughed at something Mia said, the young girl laid up in the hospital bed, acting like she wasn't sitting through another round of chemo. Caitlin didn't know how she had found the ability to withstand everything that life had thrown at her, but Mia did. And it was enough to keep Caitlin going.

"Okay, don't forget, we've got your ultrasound tomorrow," Caitlin reminded the fifteen-year-old, and Mia laughed.

"We do it once a week, Dr. Snow," she replied. "When would I have the time to forget?"

Caitlin's heart. It hurt. Mia didn't deserve this type of life. Hospital rooms and awaiting news. Hoping and praying that one day she'd be told she was cancer free. Caitlin didn't know how she handled it all with such grace and maturity, especially for someone who was so young. She smiled down at Mia kindly, nodding at the nurse, Jenny, who was in the room with her. "Finish up with her, and then you're good to clock out, Jen."

Caitlin said her last goodbye of the night and walked out to her car. London, England was where she had been calling home for the last three years. How she had ended up in England was easy. She had done a study abroad trip across the pond in her senior year of college. Her dad and mom had gotten married in London, and she knew that was where she wanted to spend her time.

Her remaining time.

Because whether she liked it or not, she was dying. Caitlin knew this. Could see it in the thin jut of collarbone; in the narrow line of her waist. Julian's serum had done what it was supposed to do and that was eliminate Killer Frost. But now, she had to contend with the fact that her life was cut short. She had maybe – if she was lucky – a year and half left. Two if she was exceptionally lucky. No use crying over spilled milk.

She drove the quiet streets of her home – and it felt more like home than Central City had done the last year she was there. She knew this much to be true. She pulled into her little cottage and parked her car, staring up at her home. The porch light was on, just the way she had left it when she left at four that morning. The only difference from then to now was the dark-haired figure sitting on her bench. She sighed. She figured he'd find her eventually.

Getting out of the car, she walked up to her front door slowly, watching the man as he came and stood in front of her. The past three years had been kind to one Barry Allen. He filled out his form nicely, developing an even larger set of muscles than she last remembered. "Wondered if you'd ever find me."

Barry stared at her; lashes wet with unshed tears. His voice didn't waver when he spoke, and she was proud of him. "Looked for you for three years, Caitlin. Three fucking years." She didn't flinch from his tone. "Do you know what that did to me? To Cisco?"

She had to admit, she was surprised Cisco wasn't there with him. "Well come in from the cold."

"That's all you have to say?" Barry demanded quietly; tone incredulously.

"What do you want me to say, Barry?" Caitlin sighed. She was tired. She was very tired.

"How about what the hell you're doing in London, England and why you left that night. Without saying goodbye. Do you know how worried we've been? Cisco has been sick with guilt that he wasn't supportive of you and I – I can't even describe the pain I felt."

She stared at him, back pressed to the wooden door of her cottage. Part of her understood his righteous anger. She had left, without a goodbye or any way to reach her. "It was easier this way."

"What way?" Barry snarled. "Running in the night? Hiding from your family who cares about you? And it's clear you're not eating; you're skin and bone. Is this an extreme diet? Did something – did someone say something to you? We can get you help!"

Good, sweet, wholesome Barry. Always wanting to see the best in people. Caitlin would be so lucky if she had developed an eating disorder. At least then, she'd stand a fighting chance at winning against it. She chuckled quietly; voice hoarse. It faded some nights. "I wish this was as easy to understand as an eating disorder. That way, I might be inclined to accept your help."

That caused Barry to pause; to look her up and down slowly. "Well, you've lost – god – forty or forty-five pounds?"

"Forty-seven but who's counting?" Caitlin asked lightly.

Barry winced, clenching his jaw as a muscle feathered in it. "If you're not starving yourself and you didn't run away because something happened, what is going on Cait? We can help. Are you in trouble?"

"I took Julian's serum," she said idly. "The week before I left."

Barry stared at her, shell-shocked, before he spoke slowly. "So... you're not sharing a body with Killer Frost?"

"No, not anymore," Caitlin murmured, tucking an auburn curl behind her ear. She sighed. "But the serum had...conditions."

"Such as?" Barry asked, eyes narrowed.

Caitlin sighed quietly, looking at who used to be considered a best friend. She didn't know how to come out and say it gently, so she didn't even bother trying.

"I'm dying, Barry."