Only Because I Need You Too

Chapter 18: Coffee Break

Caitlin inhaled the sweet scent of her beverage. The warm mug she clasped tightly in her hands gently blanched her face in a steamy heat. Jitter's buzzed around her. She had seated herself in the corner of the café by a large open window. Bright winter light streamed in and warmed her face. The streets of Central City were covered in a light dusting of powdery snow. Ethan sat across from her, his brows pulled into a frown and his hands constantly moving. "What's up?" Caitlin asked him, cocking her head to the side.

Ethan's eyes caught hers for a moment before quickly flicking away. Sitting back into his seat, he ran a hand down his face. "Nothing." He paused, pressing his lips into a thin line. "It's nothing." He cleared his throat and adverted his eyes to the waiter who was cleaning glasses behind the bar.

Caitlin crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes to slits. "Do not lie to me Mr Frost. What is on your mind?" If there was something bothering him, there was no chance Caitlin was going to let it slide. It was the small things that built up over years that could tear a relationship apart. At least that's what her mother had always said.

Ethan let out a soft chuckle and sent her a little smirk. Caitlin felt pride tickle her heart as she sent him back a smug grin of her own. "I'm just worried about you Caitlin, that's all." His eyes caught her and his lips were tugged downwards.

Caitlin pursed her lips. If it hadn't been for her stomach she would have reached over the table and took his hands in hers. "Why are you worried for me?" She cocked her head to the side, curls of hair rolled off her shoulder. Caitlin knew exactly why he was worried. If the tables had been turned, she was sure she would have had a mental breakdown already. After Barry's recent behaviour and past experiences, she was surprised Ethan hadn't.

"Well, there are at least two possible ways you could die soon," Ethan stared blankly with a shrug. He paused for a moment, jutting his jaw to one side. Staring intently at her intensely for a moment, his mismatched eyes reddened. "I saw you in a coffin." Caitlin raised her brows. Of course. The image Nora had shown them of her dead future self. Clasping her hands over her belly, she went to reply but clamped he mouth shut. Ethan sat forwards and leaned his elbows on his knees. "I see that image every time I fall asleep Caitlin. What if..." he trailed off and cleared his throat. His eyes glazed over.

"What if...?" Caitlin prompted him to continue.

Ethan sat up and ran a hand down his face. "What if you die? What'll I do then?" He threw his hand up into the air, his tone was raised and his posture rigid. Caitlin hadn't seen him like this in a while. Not since everything was going so well. Not since the Captain's funeral.

"If I die then you'll have Dawn to look out for," she informed him with a gentle smile. "But I promise you, I won't leave you. Not if I can't help it."

Ethan dropped his hands back to his sides. "Okay, so maybe Frigid won't kill you. What about the Observer? Are we just ignoring the fact there was a snowflake on Archie's hand?" His voice was exasperated, his pitch high. He moved to the edge of his seat, his face wild and worried.

Caitlin pursed her lips. "Ethan. I saw the snowflake. Tate wants revenge, so he is using the Observer to achieve it. We can combine that threat into one. As for Frigid, I have faith in Killer Frost. I know she will keep me alive." Deep inside her mind the icy meta assured the doctor she could bet on it. "We have a lead on the Observer and so far he hasn't attempted to kill me again without me first engaging him."

"That's another thing. Caitlin, why do you put yourself in the face of danger all the time." He huffed, his hand flying about to assist in his ramblings. "What if I am not there to save you the next time you do see the Observer?"

"Ethan, I have to." She answered him sternly. "You know that. The only time I do engage with the Observer is when you are near." Her voice softened a little. "I wouldn't put myself or Dawn at risk if I didn't need to." Running a hand over the curve of her stomach, she settled back into her chair.

Ethan pursed his lips. For a moment the only noise Caitlin could hear was the clinking of coffee cups and the harsh grinding of the coffee machines. Running a hand down his face, he let out a weary sigh. With a nod he finally murmured, "I know. I know you well enough to know that." Sitting back into his seat, he let out a heavy sigh. "Sometimes I just wish we could lead normal lives."

Caitlin blinked hard. "I think of that on occasion... but then I realise, life would be so bland without team Flash. Without our friends." Ethan's watery eyes caught hers. Their mismatched beauty reflected in the light. "The photo of me in the casket doesn't have to come true. Iris is living proof that the future can be changed."

Ethan sent her a weak smile. "It won't come true. I won't let it."