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"I'm broken, Barry. But what do you care? You've got Iris. You've got your happy ending. Everything else be damned."
Caitlin's statement ran around Barry's head long after they locked her up. Despite her cold demeanor, Barry can see underneath that Caitlin was indeed broken. Not only broken but scared. Scared of her alter ego, scared of her powers, scared of hurting anyone.
"Talk to her."
Barry jumped. Iris was suddenly next to her in the couch without him noticing.
"What the hell, Iris! Also, right now?"
Iris nodded. "It's been eating you ever since we got home. And don't you dare lie to me. Go."
Time Jump, S.T.A.R Labs, Pipeline
"Why are you here? To mock me? To gloat?"
Barry winced at Caitlin's words. "Cait-"
"Caitlin Snow is dead."
"I'm so sorry, Caitlin. I should have been there. I should have guided you."
Killer Frost scoffed. "But you weren't, so save the pathetic apologies and leave me here to rot. That's what you want, right?"
"Do you think I like this?" Barry hissed, temper flaring up. "Do you think Iike locking you up? No, I don't. The sight of you suffering because of your powers pains me."
"You don't know how much I want to kill you right now." Killer Frost snarled. Barry opened the cell and stood back. In an instant Killer Frost had an icicle on her hand, pressing the tip on Barry's chest.
"Then do it." Barry taunted. "You call yourself Killer Frost? Then do it. Live up to your name. Kill me." Barry grabbed Frost's wrist and dug her weapon a fraction of an inch deeper. "Kill. Me."
Frost wavered, her hand trembling.
"You can't do it, can you?" Barry said. "You can't do it because deep down, no matter how hard you try to deny and tell yourself otherwise, Caitlin's not dead. She's still there, screaming for someone to save her. She's just locked in a mental cage."
Blue eyes turned to dark brown, and the shard of ice fell to the ground as Caitlin finally regained control.
"Oh, Barry..." She collapsed against the speedster, sobbing.
"Help me, Barry." Caitlin whimpered as Barry held her, murmuring wordless sounds of comfort. "Please, help me."
"I got you," Barry said, kissing the top of Caitlin's head. "I got you."
Time Jump, Caitlin's Apartment
Barry observed Caitlin's apartment unit while the latter was in the shower. The TV was mounted on the wall, the screen reflecting the light from the ceiling. The couch was a bit worn-out, and on one corner was a small shelf filled with books.
"Barr?"
Barry looked over his shoulder. Caitlin stood by the doorway, hair damp and wearing a bathrobe as she held a basket.
"Hmm? You need anything?" Barry asked, and Catlin jerked her head to the direction of the bedroom.
"Oh, right. Sorry." Barry went outside to give his friend some privacy. He was about to head out when
"Barry? Can you stay the night?"
Barry sighed and followed his friend inside. Kicking off his shoes, Barry climbed in under the covers. He turned the lamp off and Catlin yelped as the room was engulfed in darkness. Sensing her fear, Barry turned the light back on. Caitlin visibly relaxed, snuggling in further.
"Sleep, Cait; I'm here. I'll always be here."