Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Winter was ending in Central City, outside the ruined STAR Labs building a storm was brewing. Dark stormy clouds hung thick above the city. People were racing home from work to avoid the wrath about to be unleashed from above. The rain had started a couple of hours beforehand leaving roads and paths slick with water. Car tyres kicked up spray leaving faint water arches behind them and occasionally a wave from the side as they hit a puddle soaking unsuspecting pedestrians. Headlights glowed off the water as well as lights from houses, offices and street lamps giving the usually dark buildings and road a watery glow. Thunder rumbled ahead as a last warning to the coming storm. Some people yelped at the sound and rushed even faster to get inside. However the wrath couldn’t be held back or dissipated. A bright flash filled the sky over the water lighting the dark laboratory showing its holes and gaps in which the shadows hide.
Inside the main lab was fairly dark, only the wall lights were on. Caitlin was looking over data from the attack of the man in yellow or Reverse-Flash as Cisco had dubbed him, the blueish glow from the screens lighting her face. No one had been allowed in the lab for a couple of weeks over the holidays; thankfully there were no further attacks during the rest period. Caitlin wanted to be the first one in to check on Dr Wells and his injuries but after walking round the whole place she couldn’t find him so settled down to check the data. She had left her wet coat and umbrella near the disused entrance of the lab knowing that Wells would moan about any trailing water. Cisco was due in some time and Barry was called to a crime scene. She took a sip out of her takeaway coffee cup before looking over some more data. A clank beside her should have sent her jumping out of her seat but after nearly a year she knew who and what it was.
Caitlin picked up the silver flask which was placed on her left, and grabbed the second takeaway coffee cup and poured the contents into it before setting it down on her right. The flask disappeared and the owner took a sip out of it.
“Thank you.” Dr Wells told her.
“You’re welcome.” Caitlin replied turning to glance over him and noted his injuries all healed up without a scar.
Even though she hadn’t seen him for the past couple of weeks he must have looked after his wounds well.
“Jitters coffee that Iris made?” Dr Wells asked, the flask slightly tilted towards her.
“Yeah, figured I’d pick one up for you on my way in. Coffee, black, five sugars.” Caitlin replied, turning her chair to face him wondering why he always had so many sugars in his coffee.
He gave her look before placing his flask into its holder and turned back to the screens.
“I prefer yours.” Dr Wells replied, a half smile on his face for Caitlin to see.
Caitlin couldn’t stop the infectious smile on her own lips, seeing him smile, a true Harrison Wells smile was so rare it was always a joy to share with him. However, as usual the smile never lasted for long as he went back to concentrating on the data leaning to his left. After a while he shifted over to his right side and winced slightly and it didn’t escape Caitlin’s notice. His eyes cast towards her before flicking back forward then repeated before turning to face her.
“Yes?” Harrison asked her.
Caitlin just looked down and turned back to the screens. Before Harrison could ask anything they could both hear Barry and Cisco laughing and generally making it seem like something so ‘awesome’ they had to say it over and over. Harrison closed his eyes and took of his glasses and dropped them on the desk before pinching the bridge of his nose. When they both walked into the lab, both were bone dry so Caitlin and Harrison guessed it has something to with Barry using his speed. Barry had barely set foot into the lab when he began saying how he needed to train more to get faster and look for this man.
“Barry!” Harrison practically yelled to get his attention, “This man in yellow…”
“The Reverse-Flash!” Cisco said excited at coming up with another villain nickname.
Harrison swallowed down a remark, biting his lower lip slightly.
“Fine, the Reverse-Flash is quite possibly the most dangerous man out there that you’ve faced. If you rush in there without thinking he will kill you!” Harrison told Barry sternly.
Cisco and Caitlin remained quiet to the point they both looked down, stunned that Dr Wells had such an outburst. Realising his change in behaviour had stunned everyone; even Caitlin who was standing right behind him at the time. He sighed muttering his apologies before grabbing his glasses and left the room. Caitlin looked around and went to find him. She found him by the railing looking down at the wrecked accelerator below. Caitlin walked slowly and quietly until she was right behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Dr Wells.” Caitlin spoke gently rubbing the top of his shoulder.
Harrison turned to face her, the angry expression dropped when he saw her. As much as he could act grumpy and unsociable, but when it came to seeing Caitlin, seeing her just softened him. The poor girl had gone through so much and it was his fault. He still didn’t understand why she stayed around except that his condition made her feel like he was her duty. That wasn’t the case when he first hired her. She was smart, talented, the type of skills he could use. The particle accelerator was originally designed to study a whole range of uses in science including biology which she would prove useful in. However her medical expertise proved handy in an emergency to make sure all workers had a good chance of recovering from injury. Then the accelerator went wrong and many people died or were injured. Dr Wells hid in what remained of the lab, knowing all of Central City was practically baying for his blood but when they heard he was crippled for life they weren’t so actively hunting him. He was unwelcome to the city but he couldn’t move or as far as people were concerned do anymore harm. As soon as he left the hospital he went to the lab and was frustrated at being confined to the wheelchair.
Then Caitlin had walked in, seeing him struggling to make a drink and didn’t say a word but grabbed his silver flask and finished the drink and handed it back to him. Wells thanked her and was surprised to see her sitting at her work station waiting for him to say what they were doing now. For a couple of days it had been the pair of them in the lab pouring over data eventually getting in sync with each other to the point Caitlin didn’t need to ask him anything and would get him a refill or if he’d left his glasses somewhere she would bring them over or a file. He too got used to her moving around him but he still felt like he was her charge of care. Sure he was paralysed from the waist down but that didn’t stop any pain in his back above this dead zone. Any grimace of pain and she would be there to check on him. And like now she had sought him out.
“Please let me check your injuries.” Dr Snow offered.
“They are all healed.” Harrison told her.
She just gave him look which meant she wasn’t going to back down. Harrison could never refuse her. It wasn’t because the look intimated him just he found it so cute. They were about to head off to the medical lab as the lightning flashed over heard, the rumble echoed down to where they were and Caitlin gripped Harrison’s shoulder tighter. Harrison reached for her hand, prying it off of him before her fingernails dug into his skin. She laughed awkwardly before she placed a hand on the back of his chair; she was the only one he allowed close enough. Since Tess’s death he didn’t like anyone touching him. Sighing he nodded and followed her through to the medical bay. The bed was still lowered from before the holidays and Caitlin knew he didn’t like people helping him as he manoeuvred himself from the chair onto the bed before pulling up his legs one at a time onto the bed. Caitlin waited patiently till he was settled down before stepping closer.
“Would you mind removing your sweatshirt?” Caitlin asked.
Wells gave her a flirty smile which in turn got her to smile. He pulled off his sweatshirt and kept on his sleeveless top. Caitlin held out her hand and he passed his sweater where she placed it on his chair before holding out her hand again.
“You want my top as well?” Wells asked.
Caitlin could only smile. It was times like this when they were alone that she allowed herself to relax.
“No Dr Wells…” Caitlin started.
“Please I’ve told you, you can call me Harrison when we’re alone.” Dr Wells told her placing a hand on her arm.
“Ok, Harrison, take off your glasses.” Caitlin replied pausing only slightly to say his first name rather than his title.
Harrison did as he was told and handed her the glasses which she put aside. The lab was fairly dark and she leaned across him to switch on a lamp to brighten up his features and check his injuries. Harrison had been right; his injuries had healed over his face.
“Looking good, not even a scar.” Caitlin told him as she gently placed a finger either side of his lower jaw and moved his head aside.
Caitlin tried to look directly at him but his steel blue eyes seemed to glow more in the light as he watched her making her look everywhere but there. Caitlin turned her back to him to fill in something on a clipboard, Harrison wasn’t sure if it was embarrassment or being professional.
“Cait you ok?” Harrison asked her.
“Sure.” Caitlin replied still not looking at him scribbling down notes.
Harrison’s hand was placed so gently on her lower back it took her a while to register it was there. As she turned to face him her back was pressed further into his hand. Harrison did not remove his hand as Caitlin faced him. Once again Caitlin was avoiding his eyes.
“How’s your side?” Caitlin asked him.
“Doesn’t matter what I say you are going to check.” Harrison pointed out.
Caitlin did move his top enough to check on the wound he had sustained there.
“Did you remove the stitches yourself?” Caitlin asked him running a finger over all that remained of the wound, a thin pink line across his hip.
Harrison just watched as she checked it over and scribbled down another note. All the while he kept his hand on her back to the point he wasn’t sure why he was.
“I assume the injuries to your legs are healed as well?” Caitlin asked him.
“You didn’t say you wanted my pants off as well.” Harrison replied with a grin.
Caitlin went bright red at that.
“I’m sorry that was inappropriate of me.” Harrison replied only now finally removing his hand and placing it in his lap.
Caitlin’s attention was caught now. She knew Harrison well enough that he didn’t like to be vulnerable. Being stuck in a wheelchair was bad enough but that attacked had left him feeling even worse. Even in his wheelchair he still felt he had a defence.
“Talk to me Harrison. I can see something is troubling you. I know you don’t like feeling vulnerable but this is a new defensive method I’ve never seen you take.” Caitlin spoke to him, placing the clipboard aside so she could give him her full attention.
Harrison wasn’t sure what to say. Was he being defensive about his vulnerability or was he acting this way because of something else? Reaching beside him he grabbed his sweater and began to pull it on. Caitlin just waited knowing if he didn’t speak soon he didn’t want to speak at all.
“Can I go now?” Harrison asked her.
Caitlin nodded and leaned back across him to switch off the lamp. While she was leaning Harrison sighed, pausing Caitlin to turn to face him.
“I wasn’t being defensive. I was acting inappropriately. I rarely get a chance to see you alone.” Harrison finally spoke up.
Caitlin ignored the light as she leaned back slightly to be level with him but she was still hovering over him slightly.
“I shouldn’t be saying this, it’s wrong of me. You’re bound to be thinking about Ronnie now we know he’s alive.” Harrison said looking down at his hands, his fingers fiddling.
Harrison looked up then and saw that Caitlin was much closer to him now. Harrison noticed her eyes were looking at his eyes then to his lips. His heart was starting to hammer in his ears and he wasn’t sure if the sparks were about to ignite in his eyes. He was glad his arm wasn’t hooked up to the heart rate monitor as it would really give up his identity. He had always liked Caitlin, she reminded him of Tess in that she enjoyed her work. However, as much as he smiled and gave her looks she had chosen Ronnie. Harrison didn’t hate the guy and still felt bad for what happened to him but he knew Caitlin’s heart still belonged to Ronnie’s. Caitlin was almost nose to nose with him but had paused obviously waiting for him to either say or do something. Harrison blinked a couple of times before tilting his head slightly and moved forward. They could feel their warm breathes mingling. Harrison placed his hand on her side while Caitlin placed her hand on the other side of him before she fell onto him. They closed their eyes when they felt their lips about to brush.
Before they could get closer, Cisco’s voiced blared round the PA.
“That man in yellow is back and is in the building!” Cisco announced.
“Caitlin, run.” Harrison told Caitlin.
“I’m not leaving you behind.” Caitlin replied like his idea was absurd.
“Cait please, do as I say. Run!” Harrison was insistent, “I’ll be right behind.”
Caitlin gave him his glasses as he climbed down into his chair and Caitlin still felt like she had to stay with him.
“Cait go really.” Harrison said to her.
Caitlin let out a sigh before she headed off out of the room. Once she was gone he put his hand into his pocket and pulled out his golden flash ring.