Disclaimer: I don't own "The Flash". There, happy?

A/N: This is related to the events of episode 1X3, in which we saw "The Mist". This is a bit sad and really, really short, but necessary chapter. Pure Snowbarry fluff would be coming up pretty soon, so just be patient. On a side note, does any Snowbarry fan like Jay Garrick? Anyone? Because I really, really dislike him.

Chapter 1: Closure

Caitlin closed her eyes. She could do this.

She just had to take a few more steps forward...

Who was she kidding? She couldn't do it. She was not strong enough. She turned to leave and immediately bumped into someone's chest. She lifted her eyes- Barry.

"Oh, there you are." He grinned, awkwardly, "Listen...I have been looking for you. I wanted to apologise."

"Apologise? For what?"

"Earlier today-at the police station. I was reckless for leaving like that. You were right, I should have been more careful. I need to think more before acting .I am sorry for making you worry like that."

"It's okay-as long as you promise to be more careful the next time around."

"Okay, promise." She was startled by the amount of sincerity in his voice. Maybe getting nearly killed had driven the point across to him.

Meanwhile, Barry had started fidgeting. "Hey Caitlin-can I ask you something again which you don't have to answer but you should anyway because I am your friend and it looks like this is really bothering you?"

She took a second to wrap her head around the sentence, "Yeah-okay."

"Why were are down here, Caitlin? And, if you are here, why were you turning back without doing anything?"

She didn't have to tell him anything. She was a private person-she liked the walls around herself, but somehow she felt the need to finally talk. Maybe she was tired of bottling it up all, but mainly because she knew Barry wouldn't be judgemental of her.

"It's the pipeline." She spoke up. "For the past year, I have been wanting to go down there-to have some closure after Ronnie's death, but I am scared of what exactly would happen when I reach that spot. I-I don't know if I will be able to hold myself together when I reach there." She looked close to sobbing.

Barry took in the scene in front of him. He had never expected the strong, grumpy –yet- beautiful and intelligent Caitlin Snow to look so...vulnerable. He didn't want her to look like that. He was determined to remedy the situation. "What if I went down there with you? Will it help?"

Caitlin found herself nodding her head as they moved towards the particle accelerator. The duo stopped in front of the heavy metal gates. "This is where it happened", she whispered. "This is where Ronnie sealed the gates to seal off the blast. He saved so many lives that day-and no one will ever know what he did."

Barry placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "I know now. He was a hero."

"I didn't want him to be a hero. I wanted him to be my husband." Caitlin whispered softly.

Barry didn't exactly know how to respond to that, so he did the only thing that came to his mind. He pulled Caitlin into a hug. "My mom died when I was still a kid. At first I used to think that as time passed by, it would become easier to deal with her death-but some days, the pain is worse than the day it happened. But you can't let that keep you down. I didn't know Ronnie, but from what I have heard about him, he seems to be a great guy. He wouldn't want you to stay depressed. So just let it go. If you have to cry, do so. It doesn't make you weak, Caitlin." Soon he found himself holding a crying Caitlin, speaking soothing things to her.

Barry wasn't sure how much time had passed like that, but he didn't mind. Eventually, Caitlin stopped. She looked up at Barry with tear-streaked eyes, "I thought coming down here might undo me- but I was wrong. Letting it all out-it helps a lot. Thinking about what he did-it just made me love him more. But I also feel that I have finally accepted that he is not coming back-that I have to move on with my life. It helps me feel a lot lighter. Is it wrong for me to feel like this?"

"No, Caitlin. It just makes you human. A wonderful being who has every right to being happy with her life."

Caitlin finally managed a small smile, looking up at him. "Thank you for helping me through this-for just being there with me."

Barry smiled, "Anytime." She truly looked beautiful when she smiled-and he vowed to himself that he would do his best to make her smile every chance he got.