Description: Barry and Caitlin have a much-needed conversation. They end up coming to an agreement.

Set during 'Death of the Vibe.'

...

Caitlin's heart was pounding in her chest, a familiar adrenaline coursing through her veins. Needless to say, her state of mind was a stark contrast to the quiet and empty lab that surrounded her. Her hands shook slightly as she wrote down the final words of the message meant only for her.

Caitlin come find me; the words read. It wasn't just a message, it was hope. The doctor let out a heavy exhale, a myriad of emotions hitting her at once. She wanted to cry and scream and shout for joy. She wanted to get up and pace the room, or stay up all night until she found the answers she was looking for.

However, Caitlin's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was soft and unassuming, but it was still enough to startle the doctor in her current agitated state. She jumped at the sudden noise, eyes darting to the door in an instant.

"Hey, I was just wondering..." Barry began, only to trail off once he caught sight of her expression.

"Is everything okay?" He questioned, his posture stiffening and his eyes filling with worry.

"Everything's fine," Caitlin assured softly, her racing heart beginning to slow. "You just startled me, that's all."

Barry nodded slowly and carefully, moving farther inside the room.

"What are you working on?" He inquired curiously, walking up beside her.

"It's just something kind of personal," Caitlin admitted curtly, already starting to fold up her notes.

Barry nodded once more, a heavy silence blanketing the room. She stood from her seat and began to gather up all the papers in a neat stack. Barry seemed to shift on his feet awkwardly, unsure of how to continue. Which was fine with Caitlin, he had his own issues and problems to deal with, she didn't need to drag him into her own. Caitlin moved to walk away, but Barry's voice halted her.

"Cait, are you sure you're okay," he spoke up, an unreadable tinge to his voice.

"Of course," Caitlin replied as she turned back. "Why wouldn't I be," she added a shrug for emphasis.

"Because the last time you went to see your mother it was because you were developing powers," Barry answered, running a hand over the back of his neck.

She understood now.

"I can assure you," Caitlin began tightly, her voice coming out harder than she meant it to, "it has nothing to do with Killer Frost."

Caitlin took a brisk step to walk away, a bit hurt. Some days it was hard not to feel like she was wanted only for her skills or abilities.

"No, that's not what I meant," Barry moved forward as she moved away, his tone almost pleading.

Caitlin stopped, but Barry didn't until he was standing firmly in front of her.

"My point is," he started, ducking his head to catch her gaze, "the last time you went to see your mom it was because you were dealing with something that nobody else knew about."

"I just don't want to make the same mistakes again," he admitted, briefly casting his eyes to the floor. "You're my friend, you can talk to me."

Caitlin's eyes softened a bit, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Thank you," she began quietly, "but you already have your own problems to worry about. It's alright, really," she spoke, reaching out and giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

She again tried to leave, but Barry caught her hand before she could move it, holding on gently but firmly.

"Caitlin," was his only reply, his tone and his eyes speaking volumes more.

They stood there in silence for several moments, trying to read each other's expression.

"Please," Barry eventually spoke, his words barely audible. "Please, let me in."

Caitlin considered it for several moments, frantically trying to repair her walls or muster her facade. But in the end, she knew it was no use with him. It never had been. She drew in a deep sigh, relenting wordlessly. Caitlin's hand slipped from Barry's grasp and she walked back over to the table, setting the papers down.

"It's about my dad," she informed, laying the periodic table and the death certificate bare for him to see. "I think he might still be alive."

"What," Barry nearly blurted, surprise evident on his features. "How?"

"Ralph found...an anomaly on his death certificate," she explained, gesturing to the document. "Then Cisco vibed it for me. It's a fake, my mother forged it."

Barry listened quietly and intently.

"So I went to go ask her about it. Of course, she wouldn't tell me anything. But I did find this," Caitlin continued, unfolding the piece of paper. "He was trying to send me a message."

"Wow," Barry breathed out, still a little shocked, "this is...this is huge."

Caitlin smiled slightly, grateful that there was someone that shared her reaction and feelings. The speedster stayed still for several moments, staring down at the evidence in front of him.

"Caitlin," he began, turning towards her with a strange intensity in his eyes, "I promise you, we will find him."

"Not we," Caitlin corrected slowly, her words holding no bite, "me."

"But I can help you with this," Barry argued. "I'm a Forensic Scientist, I work missing person's cases all the time."

"I know, Barry, and you're amazing at what you do," Caitlin replied in a low tone. "But this is exactly what I was trying to avoid."

Barry opened his mouth to object, but Caitlin cut him off.

"Look, you have enough on your plate," she countered firmly, though not unkindly. "Between Cicada and your untrained, speedster daughter from the future, you have your own problems. You don't need mine on top of that."

"Just because I have my own problems doesn't mean I don't have time for anything else," Barry defended, taking a step closer.

"They're your family," she stated. "They're priority."

"So are you," Barry declared as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Caitlin was a bit taken aback, but he barreled on.

"Without you and Cisco I wouldn't even be here," he continued, "and quite frankly I wouldn't want to be. You two are my best friends. And what's the point of being a hero, what's the point of any of this, if I can't help my friends when they need me?"

Caitlin didn't speak, unsure of how to reply. He was quiet too, drawing in a thoughtful sigh.

"I know there have been times when I haven't been the best," Barry stated, staring at the floor. "Times when you guys needed me most, and I wasn't there."

"But I'm done being that person," Barry glanced up, his eyes meeting hers.

"So please, just let me help you," he made one last, low plea.

Caitlin regarded his words, a feeling of warmth spreading through her chest. "Okay," she whispered. "Okay. We'll find him. Together."

Barry beamed. "Together."

Caitlin glanced down at the papers on the table, a spark of hope igniting in her heart.

"Can we make a deal," Barry eventually suggested.

She looked back up at him curiously. "Okay," Caitlin agreed, though apprehensively.

"No more secrets between us, between any of us?" Barry stated, "we're a team, we're a family, and they always just end up tearing us apart."

"Alright. No more secrets," Caitlin promised, offering her hand for him to shake. Barry did so, echoing the promise.

Caitlin took a fortifying breath, bracing herself for what she was about to say. "In honor of this new agreement, I have something else I need to tell you."

Barry seemed a little surprised, but he nodded nonetheless. Caitlin took a seat at the table and Barry followed suit, pulling up a chair so that he could face her.

"Do you remember when we were training for flash-time, and I got distracted?" Caitlin asked, shifting uncomfortably.

"Yeah, you almost got hurt. I couldn't forget it," he confessed.

"Well, it was because I had this...memory," she informed, using her hands to help convey her meaning. "It was just fragments, so I asked Cisco to vibe it for me."

"What did you see?" Barry inquired, sensing her hesitation.

"I saw myself as a little girl," Caitlin continued, pausing for a moment, "turning into Killer Frost."

"Caitlin...that was weeks ago," Barry said quietly, "why didn't you tell me?"

"I know, I know," she answered, her words rushed and a bit guilty. "I was going to at the party. But then everything with Nora came up and then Cicada and I just...I figured I would be bothering you."

"You could never bother me, Caitlin," Barry informed, reaching across the table to grip her hand. "And I'm sorry if I ever made you think that you could. You're important to me. Your problems are my problems too."

"Okay?" Barry offered, trying to catch her gaze.

Caitlin nodded in understanding, her vision becoming a bit misty. Barry leaned forward in his chair and pulled her into a hug. They sat there for a beat, holding tightly to each other.

"So this means," Barry spoke as they pulled away.

"I had powers long before the Particle Accelerator," she confirmed.

"How...how is that possible?" Barry breathed out.

"I don't know, but I can't help but feel like maybe this is all connected," Caitlin admitted, eyes flickering to the papers on the table.

"You're a mystery, Caitlin Snow," Barry announced, "but luckily, I can be a bit of a detective myself," he added with a teasing wink.

Caitlin only laughed and shook her head. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.