Winter

Chapter 5: The Truth

Elena's POV

When we got to the lab, he set me on her feet, and Caitlin and Cisco were getting ready to feed the Meta's. "Guys, let me do it today. I need a word with Eobard."

They nodded and I went to follow him when he stopped me. "No, stay here. You can listen over the monitors." His eyes were soft and he put a hand on my shoulder. "Please."

I nodded and waited for Barry to go down to the pipeline. When he fed all but one, Eobard's cell came up front. "I assume you want a 'word' with me?" He laughed. "What is it now?"

"I want to know why you were using Elena." Eobard's face tightened and he set down his food.

"I've already told you this. Why come back again?" He stared at Barry for a moment, then raised his eyebrows and smirked. "She's here, isn't she?" Barry gave a slight nod. "Let me guess, you told her everything and she doesn't believe you?"

"Just admit it."

"Have you? Admitted it, I mean."

"What are you talking about?"

"Have you told her you're in love with her?" Barry's face tightened. "By the look on your face, I'd guess not. Well, now she knows."

"There is one thing you haven't answered."

"I know." He nodded. "What was I going to use Elena for?" He paused and sighed, chuckling to himself. "I was going to use her to kill you. Make her think it was her idea. I wanted to gain her trust, so that if you came after me, she would come after you."

I lost it then, and I stormed down to the pipeline. "You bastard!" Barry sped over, grabbing me around the waist. "Why?! Why me?! Why not someone else?!"

"Because, Caitlin's powers hadn't shown themselves as soon as I thought they would. And since ice and speed are opposites, I knew you would be the only one, other than Leonard Snart, who could take out Barry. But, seeing as how Snart went missing, that wasn't an option."

Tears flowed down my cheeks, I tried pushing Barry off so I could open Eobard's cell and ice him. I knew I had the power to kill him. "Elena," Barry whispered in my ear. "Don't." He said softly.

"Why not?" She gritted her teeth. "He used me, you, and everyone."

"I know. But we can't stoop to his level. Plus, if he dies, there will be catastrophic consequences." I turned to Barry, and he had a knowing look on his face. It was pained, but he was telling the truth.

"Fine." I jerked away from him. "But I can at least put him in an ice coma." Barry shook his head, and I sighed, turning around to face Eobard. "You know what the sad part is? I looked at you as more than a mentor."

Eobard's face fell and I walked away. Barry looked confused, Eobard didn't. And when they got back to the lab, I asked Barry to take me home. "What did you mean back there?"

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Barry...I heard what he said. You're in love with me."

"Yeah, about that. Listen, I'm sorry for not telling you. I honestly didn't think you saw me the same way."

"Well...you're wrong. I do see you that way. Because I feel the same way." I had fresh tears coming down and Barry got closer, wiping them away. "But, I fell in love with someone else, too." I took his hand away. "And now I have to process the fact that I fell for two people, and one of them meant me harm. And he wanted to hurt the one I love. I just...I don't deserve you."

"Hey." He took my face between his hands. "It's ok." I shook her head and looked down, but he brought my face back up. "It's ok. We all fell for his tricks."