Summary – When a beloved member of Team Flash is savagely attacked, Barry and the others struggle to determine whether it is the work of a new metahuman or whether Central City's newest threat is in fact human. AU, set during the middle of season one. Will be Snowbarry.

Shattered

Chapter 1

It was a regular Thursday morning for Barry Allen. He woke up to the early glow of daylight, and the smell of pancakes and fresh coffee. Running a hand through short, sleep-ruffled hair, he threw back the covers. He shuffled barefoot downstairs, toward the tempting scent.

Barry found Iris in the kitchen. She smiled her bright smile, pouring him a mug of coffee. She chatted excitedly about her wedding plans; she and Eddie had set a date. She was planning to shop for a dress. She set a stack of fluffy, golden pancakes in front of him.

"Morning Barry," Joe strode into the West's small, yet cozy, kitchen, dressed in a suit. He kissed his daughter's cheek. "What are you doing here? I think I see more of you since you moved out." He chided, though he was always happy to receive an impromptu visit from Iris.

"Ha-ha. Eddie had to work early. Catch up on some paperwork." Iris set coffee, made with cream and sugar, in front of him and offered a grin. 'Apparently, his partner is a real slave driver."

"Is that so?" Joe chuckled.

Joe, preferring to keep work and personal lives separate, had struggled to accept Iris's relationship with his partner to begin with. Though, slowly he'd grown fond of Eddie Thawne. As had Barry. Given that Eddie was privy to Barry's secret identity, the young detective had proven himself an invaluable ally. A good friend. Plus, there was no denying that Eddie made Iris happy. She was happier since Eddie had proposed over Christmas than Barry remembered ever seeing her.

"Why aren't you at work?" Iris asked Joe.

"Court date." Every now and then Joe gave evidence in court. "And here I was thinking you'd come here to make me pancakes and butter me up."

"Always," Iris set a plate down in front of her father.

"That's what I'm talking about." Joe grabbed a fork, tucking into his breakfast. He trickled thick maple syrup over the stack.

Iris tutted, "Dad, go easy."

"She's going to start lecturing me about my cholesterol next," Joe grinned, setting the syrup bottle down.

Barry laughed lightheartedly. It had been a common theme growing up under the West's roof. Iris was looking out for the only parent she'd known for her whole life.

"Actually, I came to ask Barry to come wedding dress shopping with me?" She broached the subject with a pout, hoping coffee and pancakes would do the trick in persuading her best friend.

"What?" Barry swallowed a mouthful of coffee. When he'd secretly pined for her, he may have volunteered to go on one, maybe a handful, of shopping sprees, hoping she'd see him as anything other than a friend. But given Iris's engagement, those days of unrequited love were behind him. He'd confessed his feelings, and he'd had to accept that she didn't feel the same.

"I'm glad I only have to take care of the bill," Joe weighed in.

"Dad!" Iris uttered, and Joe focused his attention back down at his plate. "So, Barry, what do you say?"

"I know nothing about weddings, or dresses," Barry replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Come on," Iris pleaded. Though bubbly and outgoing, Iris didn't have any close girlfriends. She'd spent her time with him. "I'd have asked Caitlin, but we don't know each other that well."

Barry nodded. Caitlin Snow, and the others at S.T.A.R. Labs were a big part of his life, and the life of the Flash. But Iris remained in the dark about Barry's true connection to the group of scientists. Iris and Caitlin were mere acquaintances, and it seemed simpler to keep it that way.

"I suppose I could ask Linda," Iris suggested her Picture News colleague, knowing the sports reporter and Barry had shared a date.

Barry didn't reply. He stared into the murky depths of his coffee. He liked Linda. She was smart, they'd had fun. He only hoped he wouldn't have to juggle dating, and saving lives in peril, if Linda agreed to a second date.

"Barry?" Iris stirred him from his thoughts.

"Yeh?"

"Wedding dress shopping? Yes or no?"

"Sure," Barry conceded.

"Great!" Satisfied, Iris gathered her purse and a flask. "I gotta run. I'm interviewing some socialite who was caught soliciting…." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "And here I thought being a reporter meant covering stories of heroes and villains. Or at least important issues."

"It will baby," Joe assured her. "It's just going to take time to establish a name for yourself."

Iris nodded. Joe was a role model to her hand Barry. He'd instilled the value of hard work, and succeeding on merit, in both. He'd worked hard to become a well-respected detective.

"See you both later." She breezed out of the door.

"I better get going too," Barry said, swallowing down a last mouthful of coffee. He planned on showering before heading out. "I promised I'd help Cisco with something this morning."

"Okay, I'll see you at the station later." Barry left Joe drizzling more syrup on his pancakes.

Given the unseasonal warmth of the early spring day, Barry decided to walk to S.T.A.R. Labs. For months, he'd run everywhere. He loved being the Flash. He'd happily push his limits to fully understand what his body was capable of. But since the emergence of the man in yellow, Dr. Wells was pushing hard. The novelty of being able to race across the city had worn off a little

It had been a while since he'd enjoyed life at a slower pace. Even before being struck by lightning, mornings meant being jammed up against fellow commuters. Always in a rush, never taking a breath. Never pausing to appreciate the city's beauty and serenity.

That morning, Barry did just that. He strolled to CC Jitters. He purchased a latter, leaving his change in the tip jar. He walked, the breeze on his skin, rather than the air slapping him in the face. He sipped his coffee, glancing at the trees framing the sidewalks. Fresh buds were dotted on bare branches, waiting to burst open.

S.T.A.R Labs, encircled with high, wire-fencing, and notices of closure, came into view. Barry entered, never envisioning the scene waiting for him.

The parking lot was eerily quiet. The days of Dr. Harrison Wells' thriving career, his employment of the world's finest, had long passed. The only vehicle present was Caitlin's aqua-colored Kia.

Intensely loyal, Caitlin had stuck by Wells through everything. She, and Cisco Ramon, were the only two of Wells' hand-picked protégés who hadn't left after his career and reputation exploded into nothing.

Hardworking and dedicated, Caitlin was usually the first to arrive, and the last to leave. Especially since she'd learned her fiancé, Ronnie Raymond, was alive. The revelation that Ronnie, though alive, was different and wanted nothing to do with her, had crushed the young doctor. It hadn't gone unnoticed that she was throwing herself into her work.

Stepping closer to the building, Barry's eyes crawled over the vivid, red streaks shining against the asphalts. They disappeared around the car. Any intelligible thought died from his mind. Something was wrong. The memory of his mother, lying dead in his childhood home threatened to overwhelm him.

The barely-there moan stirred him into action. He rounded the car. Horror and alarm swelled within him. His coffee dropped with a low thud. The remaining, cold contents spilled over the tarmac.

Caitlin lay pale and motionless on the blackened ground. Her purse was tossed several feet away. Her cell, mere inches from her outstretched left hand, had been crushed underfoot. Shards of glass, plastic, and metal were scattered near the ruined device. Whoever had hurt her, had damaged the phone so she couldn't call for help.

"Cait?" He crouched beside her. He brushed matted hair from her face. Her cheek was red and bruised. Her hands and forearms bore defensive marks. She'd fought back. Her hands grasped on to the silken blue and white floral scarf she loved. It was pressed to her chest. To the profusely-bleeding wound. The once pretty, pastel scarf was stained a dark, disturbing crimson.

"Cait?" He spoke louder, reaching out, pressing two fingers to her throat. He felt a delicate, tapping reassurance beneath her skin. Her pulse was weak but she was alive. The strong woman he knew was holding on.

"Barry?" Her voice was faint and barely recognizable. Her eyes fluttered open. Normally so controlled and poised, Caitlin's lovely brown eyes gave way to the fear of her mortality. "Barry, I'm scared." Her hands left the blood-soaked scarf, and it drooped. Pooling on the asphalt. She reached to clutch his head. It was as if she was saying goodbye. Her eyelids closed.

"No, no, no," Barry firmly shook her shoulder. "Stay with me. Cait." In a fluid motion, he shrugged off his hooded sweatshirt, and pressed it to her chest. The wound was deep, and close to the heart. Closer than he wanted to admit.

"It's okay, I got you." He stroked his fingers through her hair. "Look at me, Cait. I got you. Just hold on for me. Okay?"

Caitlin nodded. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She reached for his hand. The other moved to hold his hoodie firmly to her injury.

Barry squeezed her hand, wordlessly promising to do everything he could for her.

"How bad?" she murmured.

"It's bad." There wasn't time to call 911. He suspected she knew it. "I'm going to have to move you. Okay?"

"Do it." Her voice was fragile, but her eyes reflected the trust she always placed in him.

Barry lifted her as gently as he could. Caitlin cried out, burying her face into his shoulder, in effort to bite back against the pain. Holding her, Barry ran, dashing and weaving through cars and people during the morning rush.

Once he reached Central City Hospital, he barely remembered to reduce his speed. He burst through the doors to the Emergency Room, feeling Caitlin lull against his shoulder. He chanced a look at her. She was holding on, but her eyes were glazed over. She was growing weaker.

All eyes were on Barry and Caitlin as he carried her into the busy, bustling ER. The voices in the crowded waiting area hushed. A doctor, a tall man with sandy hair, moved hastily to them. Dr. Matthew Logan, Barry read off the attending's name tag, called for assistance and a gurney. Barry placed faith in the doctor with the calm and authoritative nature as head n the two orderlies pried Caitlin from his arms and laid her on the gurney.

"What have we got?" The doctor pressed his stethoscope to Caitlin chest.

"She…," Barry's voice shuddered. "I found her in the parking lot. She's been stabbed."

"Name?" Dr. Logan replaced the stethoscope back around his neck.

"Caitlin Snow."

"Okay, sit tight. We'll take care of her." Despite the graying bags under his eyes, Dr. Logan smiled with reassuring compassion, trying to keep Barry at ease. There was something about the doctor that made him want to believe his promise.

To be continued….