Author's note: Gonna try my hand at another Snowbarry story. I'll still be updating my other one, so no worries. I've just been looking back at some of my old ones and realized I've really missed it. I haven't been watching this season at all so this is completely based off my creativity. If you like, feel free to review as always. Thanks! Xxx

Caitlin studied her reflection as she placed her other earring into her earlobe. She had a date tonight, the first one in a few months. Since she and Julian had broken up. She wasn't sure if she was ready to start letting the walls around her heart go back down but her best friend said she'd never know until she tried. She thought about Barry Allen, her best friend since grade school. Through everything, it had always been the two of them.

When Nora Allen had died, Caitlin could have sworn a part of Barry had died, too. He didn't do anything except stay in bed, he was that overcome with grief. For her part, Caitlin stuck by her best friend, no matter what. No matter the pain she felt at witnessing him cracking under his grief. She held him up, always being the shoulder, he could lean on, no matter the time. Eventually, and with gentle encouraging from her, he came back to life. Started going out a bit more, started seeming more relaxed when he smiled. And, she was proud beyond recognition. She needed him to be okay; they relied on one another to survive.

Just then, there was a knock at her door, and she looked up, smile tugging at her lips. The man in thought was resting against her doorjamb, looking at her.

"You look beautiful, Cait," Barry said, and she grinned.

"Thanks, Barry," she replied. She took one more look in the mirror before turning around completely and surveying her best friend.

"Are you going to be okay without me here for a few hours?" Caitlin asked. That was one of the wonderful, (if not predictable), things about being best friends with Barry Allen for as long as she had. They ended up rooming together in an apartment after her breakup. Where she had stuck by his side after his mother's death, he had stuck by her side from her breakup.

He rolled his eyes fondly.

"Quit worrying about me," he chastised gently, and she ducked her head, grinning guiltily. "But, yes. I'll be fine. Cisco and Hartley are coming over and we're going to binge The Walking Dead."

Barry and Caitlin had met the two partners one night when they were at a bar. After a quick introduction, they all sat down and stayed talking until it was time for the bar to close. They had been friends ever since.

"I'm jealous. Can I watch, too?" Caitlin asked hopefully, but Barry leveled her with a look.

"No. You are going out and meeting someone and going to have fun again. Even if it kills you," he said.

She snorted. "I'm too young to die."

"You're such a little shit, you know that?" Barry asked, amusement in his eyes.

She laughed. "I know."

Barry looked at his watch. "You better go if you don't want to be late."

Caitlin pulled her sweater on and looked at him. "Wait up to hear about it?"

"Always."

XXX

The restaurant was quiet and quaint, something Caitlin wasn't entirely sure how she felt about on a first date. On the one hand, at least she wasn't at some rowdy bar, having to shout to hear herself; on the other, this type of place reminded her of the places she and Julian would go to and she didn't want to think about that. Taking another sip of her wine, she looked at James.

"So, you're in marketing?" Caitlin asked curiously, and he nodded.

"Yeah, that's what I majored in and I was lucky enough to get a job right out of college," he replied, and she smiled.

"That's good," she said.

"What about you?" James asked.

"Me? I work at an elementary school," she smiled, thinking fondly of the students she taught.

"Children?" James asked in horror, and she laughed at his tone.

"They can be terrors," she agreed. "But for the most part, they're great. Keep me on my toes."

They continued talking, sharing parts of themselves with one another, and Caitlin found herself not hating the date as much as she thought she would. Eventually, she looked at James.

"I have to use the restroom, I'll be right back," she smiled, and he nodded, matching it.

After coming back from the restroom, she sat down and took another sip of her wine.

"Where were we?"

XXX

Caitlin wasn't sure why she felt dizzy suddenly, but she looked at James, grimacing apologetically.

"I think I may have had too much to drink," she murmured.

He nodded. "I'll walk you out."

Standing up, she slid her sweater on, trying to control the sudden shaking in her legs, and allowed James to lead her out of the restaurant, his hand on her lower back. She saw a cab and got ready to hail it down, but James eased her hand back down by her side, and she stared at him through hazy vision.

"I'll walk you home," he murmured, and suddenly, she didn't want to be around him. She shook her head.

"It's okay," she mumbled, words sounding garbled. He just placed a hand on her back lightly and led her forward, wrapping his arm around her waist when her legs gave out.

"You slipped me something." It wasn't a question; Caitlin knew just how true it was.

He continued walking them forward until they reached an alleyway of sorts and eased her down on the ground. She wanted to kick her legs out, but she was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Just something to help you relax," James said softly. She knew what he was going to do and couldn't stop him. So, she did the only thing her mind would let her and disengaged from what was happening. Eventually, she went willingly into the darkness.

XXX

When Caitlin came to, she was still in the alleyway, James long gone. There was a dull ache between her legs and blood. She knew what had happened. She shook her head, clearing the last of the cobwebs away before searching for her phone. She didn't have to look far. Picking up her phone with shaking fingers, she dialed a number and waited for them to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hartley listen to me. I need you to come help me. Don't tell Barry or Cisco what you're doing," she whispered. For his part, he didn't give anything away; just said he was on his way. As she waited, Caitlin felt the last of her disorientation wear off. She wasn't upset by what happened; she was fucking livid. Livid at the fact that someone was so evil that they felt like they could do that. Just then, she heard someone calling her name and recognized Hartley's voice.

"Down here!" Caitlin yelled back, and she heard his running footsteps as he came into view moments later. He stopped next to her and got down on his knees, taking in the sight of her.

"Caitlin, what the fuck?" Hartley gasped, eyes on her legs. She clamped them shut, not wishing for him to see anything. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. Just tell me what happened."

Exhaling, she told him what happened. Hartley covered his mouth when his hand.

"Jesus. That fucker," he growled. "We need to get you to the hospital."

Caitlin nodded her head and let him help her stand up, wincing at the pain she felt. He suggested they call Barry, but she shook her head, aghast at the idea.

"No," she said.

"But-,"

"No," she reiterated. "He's been through so much. He doesn't need to deal with this."

Hartley opened his mouth but shut it with a sigh at the look on her face. He nodded his head.

"Alright. Let's go."

XXX

After being at the hospital and being tested, Caitlin and Hartley were sent on their way, with Caitlin given strict instructions to rest and taking the medication they provided her so she could heal and not end up pregnant. Thank God for small blessings. Hartley drove them back to her apartment, sending her frequent side glances of worry, but she ignored him. She didn't want to talk about what happened. It happened. There was nothing to be done about it. She just wanted to keep living her life and not let anyone, especially her other friends, find out what happened.

When they pulled up to her complex, she got ready to open the door, but Hartley stilled her with a hand on her shoulder. Pausing, she looked up at him and watched as he seemed to be weighing his words with care.

"I know you, Caitlin," he said. "That's why I know you're going to try and push everyone away because you feel like you have to handle this on your own, but you don't. Don't push us away."

She looked at him for a long moment before nodding. Then, they got out of the car and made their way up to the apartment silently. When they opened the door, Cisco and Barry looked up.

"How was the date?" Cisco asked, and she shrugged.

"Fine. Nothing special. I don't think it'll really work out," she said.

Barry looked at her. "Something happen?"

She shook her head. "No. Just not my type."

She could see Hartley staring at her intently out of the corner of her eye and knew he wanted her to tell him what happened, but she just couldn't. She remembered all the nights she had stayed up with him while he cried over his mother's death, saying she wasn't going anywhere. Rationally, she knew he'd be the same but still. Still. Something held her back.

"I'm just really tired. I think I'm going to call it a night," she said. Without looking at Hartley, or anyone else for that matter, she made her way to her bedroom. She really wanted a shower and knew that she could have one, now that hospital got all the testing they needed. She was adamant about not pressing charges, just wanting to put this behind her. Hartley, while upset by that decision, hadn't pressed her on it, saying it was her decision to make.

As she stood in the shower, she let the hot water loosen her stiff muscles. She looked down at her most private area and noticed the discoloration; the bruising. James wasn't gentle in his attack. Shoving the thought out of her mind, she continued to scrub at her body until the water ran cold and she got out. Making her way into her bedroom, she slipped into her pajamas and got into bed. As she laid there, she wondered if she should feel a sadness. She didn't. She just felt hollow. No tears came. And, she didn't care about that.

Author's note: Reviews?