Struck*


song: Into the Fire, Erin McCarley


The next vision brought forward to Rachel was one of a man-shark, so the team immediately knew they would have to deal with King Shark, a metahuman that had mutated into an animal.

"Oh, snap!" Cisco exclaimed when pointing at Rachel before the team dispersed to handle their tasks. "You have no meta name! How come this happened?!" he asked her in an accusing tone as though it was her fault.

"Um… I don't need one," she said when shrugging. "I don't really care for a name. It's not like I can go out there in a superhero costume and fight the metas. All I do is… see them and experience bad headaches. I could do without it entirely, to be honest."

"Seer!" Cisco came up with on the spot, totally unaffected by what he just heard while everyone else seemed to be silently judging him. "No? How about Psychic, then?"

"You're closer to being a psychic yourself with your visions of the future. I'm merely seeing something and then I'm struck with a headache. Nothing worth naming." She shrugged again.

"How about Struck, then? Hah? Great one, isn't it?!" Cisco wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Rachel only sighed in response. "If you, guys, are in the field and somehow need my help and you absolutely need a codename, you can call me that, but…" she frowned, thinking about it some more, "since my visions don't come simply because I wish them so, I guess that won't happen. End of discussion."

"Just let it go, Cisco," Barry backed her up before heading for the exit.

"Barry, wait! Can I talk to you for a second?" Rachel ran after him, earning herself a curious look from Caitlin, but she ignored it. "Barry?" She caught up with him outside of the cortex.

He turned to her slowly, wearing the same expressionless face he'd been showing for days now. Ever since he'd returned from Earth 2.

"Barry, what's wrong?" she asked with care in her voice and somehow, that seemed to cause him to close off even more. "You know you can talk to me if you feel the need to, don't you?"

"Everything's fine," he assured her, though she could tell he was lying to her. Something clearly bothered him. Something he refused to tell her.

"Barry, please… If this has something to do with Zoom… maybe I can try and look into where he is now and…"

"No!" he denied fast and sharp. "Rachel, I don't need you to meddle here, ok? Zoom's extremely dangerous and he almost kidnapped you once before. Don't ever try to see him. Besides, your visions don't come just because you wish them to, right? You said it yourself. Let's keep it that way."

"Then…"

"I'm fine. I just… I need to go now and deal with King Shark." And just like that, he was, indeed, gone.

She was looking after him sadly, her heart aching. She couldn't really explain why she felt this way. Her goal was to keep him at distance, so technically she should be happy when he wasn't around her, but then again, she missed him. The problem was that when he was close, it got even worse. She couldn't, nor wanted to try and understand this. All she knew was that something had happened on Earth 2 that he wasn't telling them about.


Once the team dealt with King Shark, there was a significant change in the mood. Barry still looked the same way as though something huge was troubling him, but he decided to act again. He decided not to leave the breaches completely sealed. He wanted to find a way to defeat Zoom once and for all and they all supported him in this decision, because they couldn't just leave the other earth at a mercy of a monster.

It started a long week of Barry vigorously training under the watchful eye of Harry and with the help of Cisco and Caitlin, the latter recently also spending a lot of time with Jesse. The girl, already having five majors at the age of 19, one of which was biochemistry - Caitlin's area - was very curious about the doctor's work. Rachel wasn't spending so much time at the Labs those days, busy going over the last details regarding her newest book release, now finally having chosen a cover.

She showed up again on Friday afternoon just to find the whole team exhausted and in some serious need of a break, to which Cisco suggested they could go clubbing. Jesse grew very excited at the idea, ready to fight her father on it. Rachel, however, contemplated just going back home and watching Netflix or reading a good book while sipping on red wine.

"Whaaat?! No! No! You go with us!" Cisco insisted when she mentioned she would maybe just pass.

"But… it's not really my style. I'm not a person who goes clubbing and have fun while doing so…" she began protesting, really not sure what to do.

Only then, Barry chipped in, "You don't need to dance. No one will force you. Just… come along. Spend some quality time with us."

He'd been going through some pretty rough patch recently and the training had also been taking a toll on him, so she yielded, but made sure she wouldn't have to dance. She didn't mind dancing with the right partner, but moving along some awful techno club music was a no go for her.

While in the club, which didn't turn out as bad since she could actually hear a conversation at the bar end of it; she ended up just hanging out with Barry by one of the tables and talking while sipping on drinks as they were watching the dance floor. They laughed a little about how enthusiastic Cisco turned out to be out there and then, Rachel spotted Caitlin dancing so close with Jesse they could appear to actually be dancing together.

"Hmm…" she murmured while watching the two and taking another sip of her drink.

"What's wrong?" Barry asked, picking up on her tone and frowning.

"Nothing, really… It's just… Look at Jesse and Cait. Do they seem very cosy together to you?"

Barry followed the direction Rachel pointed for him. The two women were dancing even closer now, their eyes locked together.

"I'd be damned... It kind of looks like Jesse's into girls," he commented. "I mean… Caitlin's not really biased on just men, is she? Maybe this could be good for the both of them."

"They're both certainly extremely smart and interested in the same topics. There's just one problem… or maybe two," Rachel enumerated and Barry shifted his eyes back to her. "First, Harry. Second, Jesse is a bit younger than Caitlin."

"And how much of a difference was there between you and Eobard?" Barry asked the perfect question.

"Well, point taken, but I was twenty six when I started dating him. Jesse is still nineteen."

"Almost twenty from what I heard and she's very mature for her age."

"Just because she's so smart and already years ahead of her peers, doesn't necessary need to go in pair with emotional maturity," Rachel still argued. "I just really want Caitlin to be happy. She deserves it. I don't want her to deal with Harry's wrath or Jesse just having her experiences."

"I think you're worrying too much. Just let whatever is meant to happen, happen," Barry advised.

"Ok, let's talk about something else, then. How are you? I heard this week's been tough on you."

He didn't say anything for a moment, but then he finally admitted her right, "I'm doing my best to become at least as fast as Zoom is, so I can take him this time, but… I don't know. I'm a bit disappointed with the progress I'm making."

"Maybe you're simply overworked. That was the whole point of going out today, wasn't it?"

"Yes and no. I mean… I think… Rachel, this will probably sound strange, but… um…" he seemed to really want to say something, but was unsure whether he even should.

"What is it?" She frowned, trying to figure out where he was going with this and hoping it wasn't too personal since she really couldn't know how she would react to that.

"I'm sorry if this will sound off, but… I think what I need in order to get faster is… well… you."

"What?!" She gasped, not understanding what he meant at all – or misunderstanding, her mind already bombarded with dozens of scenarios of what he could possibly mean and ending like always – with him dying in the end.

"I mean… you… you give me strength," he suddenly confessed, looking her in the eye and shifting his gaze immediately after. "You make me believe I can really do all of this… It's awkward to get out, but it's true." His eyes met hers again and she suddenly felt way too warm. "You did help me when I faced Grodd, remember? You were there, you talked to me and it really helped me. It was thanks to you that I could fight him off. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, that you belong at S.T.A.R. Labs. Whether you have a vision or not, you are a vital member of the team now and there are many things I wouldn't be able to do without you."

"Barry…" Only, she had no idea what to actually say to that. She didn't know where this was going – or didn't want to. And just then, her eyes wandered to Caitlin and Jesse again. "Oh my god," she nearly exclaimed, seeing that they looked like they were about to kiss.

In that very moment, her head exploded in pain, showing her a meta that was running just as fast as the Flash could.

"Rachel? Rachel, what is it?! What do you see?! Are you ok?!" Barry's voice was full of concern and she could feel his hands on her arms now… People screamed as they all felt a rush of air and Barry was gone as well. Rachel could only assume that the meta already attacked this very club and the Flash chased after them.


A lot happened that followed the meta club attack and Rachel was happy that Barry didn't have the time to get back to the conversation they'd had. And then even happier because of the way he described Trajectory – the new evil speedster – disintegrating into nothing due to a speed drug overdose. The very same drug Caitlin and Harry had produced, trying to find the right formula to help Barry himself.

"Listen, you want me to be there for you - done," Rachel told him right after she heard what happened. "I'm going to be there and give you the strength you need to become faster, to defeat Zoom. I do have one condition, though. You saw what happened to Trajectory. You have to promise me you will never ever reach for any kind of a speed drug. Promise me," she emphasized. The memory of the multiple visions she'd already had, each one the same, was constantly haunting her whenever she saw Barry, whenever she let herself get close to him. She had no way of knowing what would eventually cause his death, but she could at least rule out this.

"Ok, yeah, I promise," he assured her, a weird and confused expression reflecting on his face. "I won't ever take the drug, Rachel, you have my word."


Caitlin was finally free to go home after a long night, that actually turned into the next day, and relax. It was so horrible to not be able to help her old colleague and then to find out that she died. Her head was also very confused by what had been happening lately and how it made her feel. She had of lot to figure out. Like a lot.

The moment she took off her coat, someone knocked on her door.

She was surprised, not really expecting anyone and her only guess was that maybe it was Rachel wanting to talk.

However, when she opened the door, she didn't see her friend. She saw Jesse Wells with a backpack.

"Jesse," Caitlin gasped, her eyes opening widely, heart thumping widely in her chest as heat hit her cheeks.

"I… I can't stay with my dad any longer. I found out… I found out a lot about him that I don't really like. The things he was willing to do… the things he did do to get me back…"

"Jesse, everyone would in his shoes. He was just trying to save the only person he had left."

"But he has more people he cares for now. He has team Flash. And I need a break. I need… I need to figure out who I am and where my place is in this world."

"And you're sure here is best for that?" Caitlin asked. "Jesse, I… What's been recently happening… I'm not sure…"

"Cait, I'm almost twenty years old. Don't treat me like a child, ok?"

"I just…"

"Can I please stay here with you?" she interrupted.

"Well, of course you can, but…"

"Good." After that, Jesse walked inside and closed the door after herself before she faced Caitlin again. "Now, I think we were interrupted somewhere. Oh, yes, it was right here." The last words she nearly whispered when she came closer, cupping Caitlin's face and then pressing her lips against hers.

At first, Cait was so taken aback that she didn't have the time to think and react, so the moment the other's girl's mouth rested upon hers, she was lost. She could be lying to herself and to everyone else, but the truth was that she did have a thing for Jesse and it was both terrifying and thrilling for her.

It was only when Jesse pushed forward, forcing Caitlin to walk backwards until her back hit the wall and the other woman was kissing the pulse on her neck and her hands rode down to cup…

"Jesse!" Caitlin finally woke up and grabbed the younger woman by the wrists, preventing her from fully resting them on her breasts. And that would be something she wasn't sure she could come back from... "We can't just…"

"Why not? We're both interested."

"For starters… your father… oh my god, your father…" Caitlin closed her eyes hard, remembering her own affair with Harrison Wells from this earth. No, wait. Eobard Thawne. No one except Rachel knew about it, but it was beyond disturbing that a doppelganger of his had a daughter that was now standing right in front of her…

"That's so not what I want to hear right now," Jesse protested, folding her arms across her chest. "We have feelings for each other. I'm an adult. What's the problem?"

"Have you… dated anyone before?"

"Yes."

"How about sex?" Caitlin asked bravely and with that, she hit the bull's eye. "We can't just jump right into bed, Jesse."

"What should I wait for? Marriage?"

"No, but you should take it easy." It did cross Caitlin's mind that she herself hadn't taken it easy in college, but that was another story. "Please, feel like home, but this…" she pointed herself and then Jesse, "whatever this is, we can talk about this later."


The door to Caitlin's bedroom opened and then closed, the sound of bare feet hitting the ground.

She was already asleep, therefore very confused when being awaken by an intruder when…

"Oh my god! Jesse!" she exclaimed, shocked by the girl getting into her bed completely naked. Then she swallowed. Hard. Because she'd already caught a glimpse of the younger woman's perky breasts…

"Just let go for once," Jesse shushed her when straddling her and pressing her lips against hers, kissing her gently, softly before her tongue prodded at Caitlin's lips and her hands went to finally cup and massage her breasts, satisfied as they immediately peaked.

And then Caitlin finally realized that Jesse reminded her of… herself. She had also been eager and brave and ready to explore and experience, hadn't she?

In the end, she gave up. There seemed to be no other alternative.

She flipped them around and kissed Jesse properly, the way she really wanted to. Her hands were already on her breasts, massaging, running the tips of her fingers over the hardened nipples before her mouth descended and she devoured them, sucking hard, causing Jesse to arch her back and moan in sudden pleasure.

"Yes… yes, Caitlin…" she said her name softly in a voice full of ecstasy.

Caitlin didn't need further invitation and she also abandoned all her caution. She kissed Jesse again, her hand on one of the breasts when the other went down, down to the girl's crouch and she dipped a finger, having her moan and writhe underneath her, causing her own self to tremble with desire so strong…

"Can you…" Jesse suddenly started when playing with Caitlin's breasts now, her lips tasting the buds, tongue flickering, driving Cait absolutely mad. "Can you… take it, Cait? It doesn't need to be a man, right?"

Snow realized what she meant and her stomach fluttered even more.

"Are you sure…?"

Jesse only nodded, panting hard.

"Ok…"

That was not something Caitlin had ever done, but it shouldn't be hard, right? She began fingering Jesse, inserting a second finger and already feeling her small channel tight around her. She didn't want it to be particularly painful and she wasn't sure how deep she should push, but she would figure it out as she went.

"It may hurt a bit. I might need to stretch you more, go deeper," she warned when lowering herself so she could take a good look.

"Do it," Jesse panted, her body quivering in need and then Caitlin pushed deeper and harder and added another finger, almost feeling it, eventually pushing more and more in until… Jesse moaned, not particularly in pleasure, nor pain. It was more of a surprise and Caitlin's hand came out bloody.

She quickly pressed her lips to Jesse's clit and sucked gently before licking a bit and sucking again and then Jesse exploded in pleasure, screaming Caitlin's name as she came.


After a few days of trying to figure out how to open a breach to get to Zoom and how to set a trap for him, they already had two small successes. First, Barry and Harry suspected that since Cisco's doppelganger of Earth 2 had the same powers and could tap into the multidimensional vibrations, Cisco should be able to open a breach to any earth he wanted (Rachel did ask whether they'd met her doppelganger as well, but she was met with a resounding no). Secondly, they found out Zoom's real identity was Hunter Zolomon, which helped them search for just the right triggers for him.

And it worked. It really worked there for a while.

Till Zoom got free, the device holding him in place proving to be insufficient and he was gone in a flash…

…and ran straight to Rachel's apartment, snatching her; Barry not there to help her this time.

All he could do was to come back to the cortex, scream in frustration and kick a chair so hard, he sent it flying into the wall.

"Barry!" Harry raised his voice, trying to bring the younger man back to his reason. "What happened? Did he escape?"

"No, not just escaped," Cisco said slowly, seeing the look in his friend's eyes. "He did much more than that."

"He took her!" Barry yelled, placing his hands on his head in a hopeless gesture as he turned around. "He took Rachel!"

Jesse and Caitlin both opened their eyes widely, sharing a look.

"I thought I could stop him…" the Flash murmured, by now pacing around the room. "And I was wrong and he took the one thing I…" he abruptly cut off as his hands formed fists and then just fell to his sides. "He left a message in her apartment. It's my speed for Rachel."

"Barry, you can't give him your speed," Harry immediately protested. "Then we will truly be powerless against him."

"We already are! I already am!" Barry screamed again, anguish clear on his face. "If something happens to her… I… No, I can't let him hurt her! My speed isn't worth it! And then, who's going to be next?! Jesse again?! You?! Cisco?! Caitlin?!" Barry turned to Wells and that effectively shut the man up. "Let's not forget how desperate you were when he had your daughter! You almost stole my speed for him yourself!"

"Can we at least think about all of this?" Cisco gently suggested. "Maybe we can find a solution… a way to track them… get Rachel back."

"He's probably already taken her to Earth 2 to his lair. And there are probably other metas he has on his every beck and call. I will never be able to help her with him constantly on my ass. Not before he kills her. This is the only way. Cisco, you need to deliver the message. Please, use your powers and tell him I'm gonna do it."


Rachel was terrified, having being kidnapped by a monster that filled her with nothing but pure terror and then being dropped in a dark cell that she could only assume was the same place Jesse had been kept in on Earth 2.

She didn't seem to be there for long though, as merely after what seemed like minutes, he grabbed her again and she was suddenly standing in… the cortex.

"Barry!" she screamed his name on seeing him and then spotted the rest of the team. Something didn't add up. Something was seriously wrong. How come Zoom just brought her back? Unless… "No!" she screamed at Barry who was just now facing their enemy while Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her aside, away from the line of fire. "Barry, you can't make a deal with him!" she still called out to him.

"I have to. It's the only way to keep you and any member of this team safe," he responded, his decision already made.

For the next few minutes Rachel was being forced to watch Barry hitting the treadmill in order to transfer his speed to Zoom and getting slower and slower with every passing second while the percentage level grew higher and higher till it reached 100%.

He collapsed from exhaustion then, not able to run anymore and she couldn't stand being kept in the back anymore. She managed to yank herself free from the hold Harry still had on her and got to him.

"Barry, are you ok?! Barry?!"

He was lying on the floor, breathing heavily, sweat covering his face while Zoom charged himself with his speed and immediately disappeared.

"It's gone," was all Rachel heard from the former speedster, his voice low and hoarse and all she could do in response was to just put her arms around him, giving him whatever comfort she could, even though she knew it wasn't much.


struck can have many meanings. Can be a metahuman name. Can be struck by lightning. Can be struck by love.