Aftermath

Rebel Without a Cause

"Attending the opera?"

"Hmm?"

Frost gestured to Cisco's prim black suit, eyebrow quirked.

Cisco glanced down at himself, almost self-consciously, then returned to checking her blood pressure. "Oh. No. We're heading straight to H.R.'s funeral after I finish up here."

Frost had the decency to mellow at his words. "Ah, I see."

The Med Bay descended into awkward silence. Sometimes, if he weren't paying too much attention, Cisco would think he was standing across from Caitlin, sharing fond memories of times long past. Then he'd get a reminder of the last few months – who she had become and what she had done. He wanted so desperately to forgive and forget, to trust that the cure would work and that they could move forward. So much had happened, though. Even if Caitlin returned, H.R.'s death would always be a grim reminder of what she'd once been capable of doing. Cisco was still struggling to rectify the knowledge he had of Killer Frost with the good person he knew Caitlin to be. The cuts would heal, but the scars would remain.

Cisco looked at her thoughtfully, wagering the consequences of asking his question. He decided it was worth the risk. "You know, you can come with us. If you want."

"I'm not sure I'd be welcome."

"Sure, you would. In fact, I think it would mean a lot to the team. I can ask Barry-"

"Cisco. It's not happening." Upon seeing his face fall, Frost felt the odd compulsion to change her wording. "I'm not there yet. Maybe one day – but not now."

He nodded diminutively. "Alright. I can accept that."

Just as he finished taking a blood sample, Barry came speeding into the Med Bay. "All done here, Cisco? Everyone's ready to head out."

"I'm almost finished. Just let me put this sample away."

Barry nodded as Cisco wandered over to the medical cabinet. He glanced at Caitlin, made a face as if he'd just remembered she was there, and hurriedly covered it with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Same as when you asked 15 minutes ago."

"Right – sorry – I just want to make sure. We have no idea the possible side effects of the cure."

"Well, I can in today like you asked, didn't I?"

"You did, and I appreciate it."

Killer Frost hopped off the exam table and made to leave. Barry blocked her pathway before she could.

Frost raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"

"Yeah. No! Well, uh... I have a favor to ask."

She snorted. "You're asking me for a favor? What, was the rest of humanity unavailable?"

"Ha ha ha. Just hear me out." When she crossed her arms and gave him a bored look, Barry knew he had her attention. "So, the whole team is going to H.R.'s funeral-"

"If this is another invitation, I already told Cisco-"

"No, that's not what this is about. I was going to say that since we'll be gone for at least an hour, Savitar will be here alone. Unsupervised. And no one is comfortable with that idea."

"Nor should they be. What's this have to do with me?"

Barry swallowed hard. "I need you to stay behind and keep an eye on Savitar – just while we're gone."

"You're joking, right?"

"No."

"If not joking then what – crazy, desperate, delusional?"