Always Running

Key to Forgetting

"Me, apparently." Barry says dryly.

"Why?" Cisco asks, more sincerely.

"Because I don't deserve it."

"I'm not even gonna argue that you do. I've known you too long to be convinced that I could change your mind." Cisco starts. "But why does it matter whether you think you deserve it or not?"

Barry stops what he's doing but doesn't turn to Cisco.

"The town had the biggest catastrophe it's ever had and when they looked up to the sky and saw their town literally being sucked into an abyss, they saw the Flash. They saw hope. Don't take that away from them. If they want to think you're a hero, let them." Cisco says, trying to sound encouraging but also a little stern.

"It should be Ronnie and Stein. Or even Joe. He's the one who killed Thawne. I didn't do anything." Barry says, still not turning to Cisco.

Cisco lets out an annoyed sigh. He's been putting up with Barry's pity-party for the last five months and he's about had it.

"Well then feel sorry for them, not for yourself." He states, turning to walk out.

He's tried to help, and Barry just shuts him out more. He tries to get him to call Caitlin and he won't. He tries to get Caitlin to call him and she just keeps saying 'she can't'. He feels alone. His only joy comes from helping CCPD even though he really doesn't get to be as involved as he used to be with Team Flash. He likes calling and telling Caitlin about it, but he feels guilty because he's really only doing it to hopefully convince her to come back. He supports her needing time, but he doesn't support her leaving. Her and Barry weren't the only two who lost something, and he could really use his best friends.

He walks down to the main floor of the station and sees Joe looking at him for an answer. Cisco shakes his head.

"Damn." Joe sighs. "I really thought you talking to him might work."

"If I hadn't tried a thousand times before then it might've." Cisco says sounding defeated. "He's still stuck in his own head."

"That's Barry for ya." Joe says, leaning on the counter next to Cisco. They both lean back, trying to destress before they go to a ceremony for a man that won't show.

"Standing around doing nothing. Nice to know you two haven't changed."

Cisco and Joe both perk up at the sound of a familiar voice. Cisco runs and attacks his best friend.

Joe walks up to the two of them. "Caitlin." He acknowledges, smiling at her and waiting for Cisco to get off her. He pulls her in for a hug. "It's good to see ya, kid."

"It's good to be back." She says sincerely, looking around the station. "I hear we're celebrating."

"Well, some of us are." Cisco says, his voice returning to its earlier somber tone.

Caitlin raises her eyebrow at Joe.

"The man of the hour isn't feeling too much like celebrating." Joe explains.

Caitlin takes a deep breath and looks up the stairs toward Barry's lab.

"He still has an hour. Maybe he'll change his mind." She says, hoping to cheer them up a bit.

Cisco turns to Joe. "Five months and it's like she doesn't even know him." He jokes. "Change his mind. Pfft." He scoffs.

Joe chuckles and Caitlin rolls her eyes.

"Well, if you two aren't busy, I thought we could get lunch before the ceremony." She suggests.

"I've got some work to get done before but you two go ahead." Joe says.