Only Because I Need You Too

Chapter 3: Back to the Past

Caitlin watched Nora pulling up files from her computer watch. The team had congregated in the cortex and were all sitting or leaning against the welcome desk. Ethan was standing next to Caitlin and she took comfort in the soft whooshing of his breath. The criminal record she displayed was a stark difference to the one Caitlin knew. Medusa's file was packed and filled to the brim with information. A mug shot along side her list of charges showed a woman much older that Caitlin remembered. Medusa's long blonde hair was cut short, close to her scalp. Her normally vibrant blue eyes were dull and dismal. Caitlin's heart clenched, a few wrinkles could be seen etched into the girl's once so youthful skin. The other file however, was empty. "This," Nora gestured to the blonde, "is Medusa. A wanted serial killer and well known criminal. Unfortunately, she caught me unawares in a house of mirrors and turned me to stone, ultimately leading to her learning my secret identity,"

"So she came back in time to kill you as a child because she figured out who you were?" Cisco asked, cocking his head to the side. Caitlin supposed he had a point, there were many more effective ways to kill heroes rather than make an entire time machine and travel back in time to kill them in their infancy.

"Not just that, but in the future I am indirectly the cause of her husband's death, so we believe she came back in time to prevent his death also," Nora explained with a sad sigh. A look of weary exhaustion crossed her eyes, but it only stayed for a second or two. Out of the corner of her eyes, Caitlin could see Ethan pinching the bridge of his nose, but she thought it best not to comment on it.

"Interesting," Barry murmured. "Where do you think Medusa will head first?" He asked the team, stepping out to join Nora at the centre of the room.

"She rarely ever did anything without a partner. She most probably will be searching for some one who wants to free Tate also," Nora told them, her eyes focused on her father with unwavering admiration. Caitlin felt her mind being dragged elsewhere as the team discussed more possible options. The doctor peered up at Ethan then down at her own stomach. What would her daughter think of them? Would her daughter admire them as much as Nora admired her parents? Caitlin brushed the thoughts from her mind. Only time would tell, and time had tight lips.

"There are too many uncertainties," Cisco huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "At this rate we will just have to wait until she makes a move."

"Why don't we go an ask her?" Iris suggested with a shrug. Caitlin blinked slowly as a moment of silence crossed the team. A light bulb lit in the air. Of course. In their time Medusa was still locked up in the meta section of iron heights. "I can go and visit her,"

"Yeah, sure. Good idea," Barry nodded.

"In the main time, Cisco and I can set up the facial recognition," Caitlin told them gently. She felt relief wash over her, they at least had one lead. Waiting for the criminal to make the first move often felt like having no choice but to slowly lower your foot onto a pin.

*

Iris felt as though the prison's grey walls were inching closer to her every time she blinked. The visiting room was half empty. A couple of the confined booths were taken and a gentle murmur spread through the air. One of the uniformed guards that was standing by the door pointed her to a small booth which was surrounded by vacant ones. Perfect, Iris would always be thankful for privacy. Taking her seat, the reporter cast a steady eye around the room. Orange jumpsuits were morphed into distorted shapes through the thick glass. A woman sobbed quietly as she spoke in hushed tones to a young, lanky boy in chains on the other side. One of the guards shifted his weight as he cast an eye over Iris general area.

The reporter didn't have to wait long until Medusa appeared. The young woman was forcefully directed towards Iris's booth by an annoyed looking uniformed woman. Her image was so different from the one on her criminal record. Long, healthy blonde hair, youthful glowing skin and a well used smile. Medusa sat in the booth, her bright eyes flickered to the phone, hesitating before she picked it up. Iris copied her, the women trained icy stare. "Medu-" Iris began.

"Taylor. My name is Taylor," the blonde replied, her lips twitching downwards.

"Sorry, Taylor. I came to ask you about your relationship with Tate Johninng," Iris informed her, leaning forwards onto her elbows. A tickle gripped the reporter's stomach. She had no way of knowing wether or not Medusa would be willing to comply and help them. All logic suggested she wouldn't, but Iris still had hope.

"Tate," the blonde murmured. Her lips pulled up into a smile and her eyes sparkled under the intense light from above. With a hefty sigh, she replied, "we were together. Happy. I don't know what else to say."

Iris caught Medusa's eyes for a moment. The reporter recognised the look they held. It had been the same look Iris had seen in all of her wedding photos, pre-disaster. Praying her luck would continue, the reporter continued her interrogation. "Who were you closest to in the fighting ring?"

Medusa's eyes flicked up. They were wide and wild, "close to?" She let out a snort of laughter and sat back into her chair. "You didn't get close to people in the ring. That would be dangerous. That could make you loose," She puckered her lips, her eyes stared up a the ceiling. "The only one I really knew was Tate," her shoulders fell a little and she shook her head.

"There was nobody that you spoke to on occasion? Nobody that you have caught up to now?" Iris queried, her whole body tense.

"The only other person I ever spoke to was my cell mate. Christopher Pickle," Medusa hummed.

Iris raised her brows, "would you say that you trusted him? Do you think he would listen to you, fight by your side?"

Medusa sent Iris a bewildered look. Righting herself, the blonde flashed a sly smirk. "I spoke to Christopher, but the only thing I ever said to him was rest in peace."