Fire and Ice

Chapter One - Predictable

Caitlin Snow's life was predictable. She liked predictable. Every morning at 7:30, she would wake up, get dressed, and eat breakfast. Then she would drive fifteen minutes from her apartment to STAR Labs, where she spent eight hours a day working. Well, that was the time period she was scheduled to work; Caitlin usually spent an extra two to four hours bent over her research, studying formulas or analyzing chemical bonds. She didn't interact with anyone, didn't stop to chat with her neighbor. Just her and her research. Caitlin liked her work. It distracted her from everything else going on in her life.

Predictable days weren't every day though, much to her dismay. Some days, she would have a setback with her research and would spend hours reworking it. Other days, unexpected news or events occurred. Caitlin certainly didn't predict Dr. Harrison Wells' announcement about the particle accelerator.

"I have a vision," he said at the staff meeting. "A vision of how this particle accelerator will affect others. Affect ourselves. Affect the future." He hovered over the last two words. Something glimmered in his framed blue eyes.

"In order for this vision to come true," Dr. Wells continued, "we must all put our brilliant minds together. From now on, our main focus will be the particle accelerator. No side projects, no personal research. Yes, that includes you, Hartley." The brown-haired scientist hadn't even began protesting, but the way he looked away guiltily proved Professor Wells' words to be true. Even the professor's favorite wasn't exempted, which meant Caitlin wouldn't be either.

Caitlin pressed her lips together, disguising her dismay. She didn't like working with others. She preferred the peace of independent work rather than the calamity of collaboration. Now she was going to be thrown into a full-blown project that would take months, maybe even years, to finish, with every scientist and engineer working at STAR Labs.

"Right," Dr. Wells said. "Mr. Raymond, Hartley, and I will be reviewing the blueprints for the accelerator. Official construction and research begins next week. Any questions?"

There were no questions. The staff meeting concluded, and everyone stood up and returned to their projects. Caitlin sat at her desk, trying to concentrate on the stem cell simulation in front of her, but her thoughts were otherwise occupied.

The particle accelerator. The very thing that would force her to work with her coworkers, talk and associate with them. Caitlin wiggled the mouse and stared at the computer screen, but other than that she was completely absorbed in thought. A while passed before Caitlin regained her senses. She concentrated on her work, only her work, and finished it at almost 9:00. At that, she finally left STAR Labs and went home.

Her predictable days ended after that.