Caitlin had her head down as she strolled out of the elevator a soft hum leaving her as she listened to the music in her earphones, lost in her own world. Barry had gone to visit Oliver for the day leaving the cops to sort out the basic crime around the city, letting both Cisco and Caitlin, Harry too to have the day off although they all stayed on high alert in case they needed Barry. Caitlin had already been out clothes shopping, food shopping and she'd sat in Jitters for an hour talking with one of her friends who worked there and she found herself heading back to S.T.A.R Labs. Cisco had been down in his workshop since early this morning working on something he wouldn't tell Caitlin about but she'd brought him a sugar doughnut and a latte, she'd gathered he hadn't eaten or drank anything this morning so she'd do him a favour. Caitlin pulled one of the earphones out of her ear so that she could only hear the music in one of her ears. Ciscos food and drink cradled in one of her hands as the other held a tight grasp on her phone. She somehow managed to knock lightly on the door of the workshop, Cisco visibly startled glaring over his shoulder at her as he dropped a cloth over whatever he'd been working on.
"That's the look I get for buying you a latte and doughnut?" Caitlin raised her eyebrows at her best friend, his stance changed and he was on his feet in seconds heading straight for her the expression on his face changed to relief.
"Sorry, thank you...I'm starving, I was supposed to get something earlier but I've been caught up in this project." Cisco grumbled, shooting a look at the object he'd covered and back at Caitlin who'd expression had softened, giving him a look of sympathy.
"Cisco...don't work yourself to death. Whatever it is it can't be worth letting your health slip." Caitlin told him, her now empty hand reaching out to rest on his shoulder, doing the head tilt thing she didn't to show him she cared and he sighed nodding.
"I know, I know but this certain project is...personal, I need it otherwise..." Cisco shook his head. "Never-mind, thanks for this, I owe you one."
Cisco let Caitlin's hand fall from his shoulder as he turned to move back towards his work space, Caitlin stepped fully in the room.
"Did things go well with Andrea last night?" Caitlin asked, curious to as if this was about her but a smile seemed to stretch across Cisco's face at word of the womans name, his whole person seemed to brighten up. He took a hungry bite out of the doughnut and swivelled on his chair to look up at his friend.
"They were amazing, she want's us to go one a proper date on Saturday, it's the only day she's free from work. But Caitlin," Cisco let out a happy sigh, "I have a good feeling about this. She's perfect."
Caitlin reached out, then smiled happily at him, giving him a gentle squeeze a light laugh escaping her lips. "I'm really happy for you, Cisco. She's a fool if she hasn't fallen for you already."
Cisco blushed at her kind words, he'd hoped Andrea truly liked him because he truly liked her. It was the first time he'd fallen for someone who wasn't a villain, someone on the opposite side to them. She was normal, a flawed yet perfect person in Cisco's eyes and he wanted it to work more than anything. Caitlin lifted her earphone back to her ear.
"I'm going to go upstairs, I'll leave you to your secret project, just come up and get a drink in an hour otherwise I'll come down here and confiscate that trinket of yours." Caitlin threatened, she replayed her words in her head and realised she sounded like a mother, but as long as it got Cisco to do what she told she didn't really care. She saw that Cisco nodded, finishing off his doughnut and she spun on her heels returning her attention to the music and heading up to the cortex. It always amazed her how she'd memorised every nook and cranny of this place, she was sure Cisco knew every inch of this place too. It was one of the first things they had to learn when Harrison Wells had hired them because he didn't want them getting lost twenty-four seven.
***
Caitlin's heels tapped melodically as she walked along the corridor, taking a sharp turn into the cortex not looking up until she placed her phone beside the monitors, taking her earphones out in the process. But when she looked up she almost leap back, Leonard Snart stood tapping his foot impatiently, his gun lowered to his side, but Caitlin knew if she made a move he'd lift it. Her heart rate slowed back to a normal rate as she calmed herself. This happened way too often for her liking.
"And you want?" Caitlin sighed, pushing her phone slightly too the side, she wasn't scared of Snart.
"Barry, I need to talk to him. Do you know how long I've been waiting for one of you to show up?" Snart complained, Caitlin rolled her eyes but she didn't mention Cisco had been downstairs. "Did Barry give you the afternoon off or something?"
"Yes, actually. He isn't in the city, Snart." Caitlin answered honestly, her voice still cold. She might not be scared of him but she definitely didn't like him. "You won't find him here."
"Listen, Caitlin. I need to talk to Barry about my sister, so if you could just tell me his whereabouts then I'll be on my way." Cold sighed, getting fed up with her answering him with useless information. Caitlin reached under the desk and pulled out a gun, Joe had kept it here especially for her seem as she is a target a lot of the time. She kept a straight face as he lifted the cold gun. "Huh, the doctor has tricks up her sleeve, who'd have thought? I'm not here to kill you."
"And I'm not stood here to kill you. I've gave you enough information. Barry isn't here whatever trouble you and your sister are in, isn't our problem." Caitlin told him nonchalantly, her hold on the gun still and firm. She'd expect her to be shaking but it she was aiming it perfectly at him, if he fired she fired.
"Maybe not. But your Flash is alive to save people right? Find them?" Snart questioned and lowered his gun once more, showing her peace but she kept the gun on him. "I can't find Lisa and she hasn't been in contact, all I need is for Barry to zip around the city and see if he can find her. It would take him a minute or two. I just need to see if she's ok."
Caitlin knew it was rare that Snart would show humanity so she tucked the gun in the side of her pants ready to pull out if he tried anything. Caitlin gave him a curt nod before dropping in her seat, snatching up her phone pressing the phone to her ear as she called Barry. There was nothing but a ring for a moment or two but a voice picked up.
"Not a good time, babe." She heard Barry's voice call down the phone, her cheeks tinted pink at the nickname but she kept her focus and cleared her throat.
"Snart's here." Caitlin told him, silence went throughout the phone and Caitlin could hear a grunt of pain, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on?"
"Me and Oliver are seeing who would actually win and he unfairly shot an arrow into my arm, listen Cait--hey, stop alright. Time out.--" Caitlin heard a grumble then a concerned feminine voice, knowing it was Felicity. "Cait, is he listening?"
"No, you're not on speaker." Caitlin answered glancing at Snart who'd leaned against the table, waiting patiently. "He claims he needs you to find his sister."
"I doubt that's all he wants but I'll be right there, ok if he tries any--"
"He won't, I've got my gun. He shoots then I shoot. He knows that." She told Barry, "I'll see you soon." Caitlin said quickly before hanging up on Barry and looking up at Snart. "There, he's on his way."
