Maddy was missing. Maddy was missing. The fear that ran through Caitlin was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. How could her daughter be missing? How could Jay have kidnapped her and gotten her away from them – from her – so fast? It didn't make any fucking sense.

And to say that she was livid was the understatement of the century.

She was simply riddled with anger.

And anxiety.

She didn't know which emotion to pay attention to first, but they were both vying for her attention. She chose the easiest route and went with anger. If she focused on her anger instead of her fear, she'd find her daughter a hell of a lot quicker.

And Jay wanted her to find her. That is what it boiled down to. Jay wanted Caitlin to find her by going to him. He had been obsessed with her at the party and, even though she never told anyone this, there had been nights that he had blown up her phone, demanding to talk to her until she had to change her number altogether.

And now her daughter – her little girl – was with that monster.

Over Caitlin's dead fucking body.

And Barry was mad. He was simply livid at Jay. He was out canvassing the streets right now with Joe and Cisco. Hartley had stayed behind with Caitlin to keep her from doing something stupid. Like setting the world on fire.

Hartley was good at that sort of thing.

She stared unseeingly before her, watching the way the walls took on the form of monsters as shadows eclipsed them. She was terrified. Didn't know which way was up or which way was down. Just then, her front door opened and in walked Barry and Joe. Iris West was trailing a few feet behind her father, and Caitlin received a jolt. It had been years since she had last seen the other woman. She watched her walk toward her, frown tugging at her lips. "Caitlin, my dad just told me...if there's anything I can do to help, I will."

Caitlin was surprised Iris was offering up help, but she schooled her expression and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Iris. I just want my little girl back." Her voice broke on 'back' and she finally succumbed to the tears that had been threatening to fall since Jay first abducted Maddy.

Iris was quick to latch onto her hand, rubbing soothingly against her skin. "We'll find her, Caitlin. She was taken by her – her father?"

"That man is not her father," Caitlin hissed vehemently. "He doesn't deserve that title."

"Of course," Iris murmured apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," Caitlin sighed. "I shouldn't be taking this out on you." Then she looked at Joe. "Where is Barry?"

"Cisco and Barry should be back any minute," the veteran detective told her. She nodded her head. While she wanted to be out there, doing something useful, she had to admit it was nice that Barry and Cisco were coming back.

Just then, her front door opened for a second time and in rushed Barry, followed closely by Cisco. She breathed a sigh of relief as Barry pulled her to her feet, hugging her tightly. "We'll find her." This was whispered roughly into her ear and Caitlin shed another tear. She knew her little girl must be so afraid but determined not to show it. She didn't know who Jay was; didn't know how she was conceived. All Caitlin had ever told her was her daddy wasn't there, and she was loved so very much by Caitlin. It was enough to satiate Maddy's thirst, but when Barry came into her life, Caitlin knew the little girl viewed him as a father figure. And she was certainly convinced that Barry viewed her as a daughter. And now..." Now I may never see her again."

"Don't think like that, Cait," Barry whispered fiercely into her ear, carding his fingers through her auburn tresses.

"I just want my baby back," Caitlin gulped, fresh tears leaking out of her eyes. She hadn't cried since the night Jay raped her and trust him to be the reason she cried again. Barry cradled her head against his chest, and she breathed him in. She knew her boyfriend, (soulmate), was doing everything he could to protect her, and she loved him for it. But she was the one who had to find Maddy. It was her little girl. She knew she must be so very terrified but trying to act brave. The way Caitlin would. It was that thought that sheared Caitlin's heart in half. Damn it. Damn it . It was too much to bear.

She pulled out of her boyfriend's grasp as her phone vibrated in her pocket. Barry turned to address Joe and Caitlin took a moment to read the text that had just come in.

Meet me at the docks at ten tonight. Come alone. If you bring anyone or I even think the police are going to show up, I'll put a bullet in her head. Don't be stupid, Snowflake.

-Jay

She shook in revulsion but then schooled her expression as soon as Barry turned to look at her. "Anything?"

"Just an email," she lied calmly, glad her voice didn't betray her.

Barry sighed but nodded. Cisco squeezed her hand. "We're going to find her Caitlin."

Damn right we are.

XXX

Ten came and with it showed Caitlin slipping out of her apartment under the pretense that she wanted to go look at some other places. Barry offered to go with her, but she said it was something she needed to do on her own. Thankfully, he didn't press her, and she was able to slip out of the apartment quickly and quietly.

She hurried to her car, getting into the vehicle, and peeling out of her parking spot. Then she made a mad drive for the docks, determined to bring her little girl home if it was the last thing she did.

Author's note: Enjoy and thoughts lovely per usual! Xx