Killerwave, Caitlin and Cisco Talk
“I did a pregnancy test.”
The jarring sound of metal against metal fills the lab as Cisco fumbles his latest engineering project and drops it on the table. He stares up at Caitlin with wide eyes, looking all too much like a deer caught in headlights, and pulls the bright, cherry red sucker from his mouth.
“You did what now?” he asks.
Caitlin’s nose scrunches and she wrings her hands. “I did a pregnancy test,” she says again.
Cisco nods absently. “Okay,” he says. “Yeah. So that is what I heard the first time.”
They’re alone in the lab together, long after Barry’s gone home. The only thing that fills the silence is the quiet hum of machinery as Cisco stares Caitlin down and she keeps her gaze trained purposefully on the floor.
“I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone,” Cisco says finally.
Caitlin squirms. “I’m not,” she replies.
“Oh,” Cisco says.
He doesn’t know what else to add, but this time it’s Caitlin’s turn to break the silence. “It was a one-time thing,” she explains. “Totally impulsive and stupid. I don’t even know why I did it in the first place.”
“Do I know him?” Cisco wonders.
Caitlin grimaces. “I don’t think you really want the answer to that question.”
Cisco scoffs. “Oh, come on, Cait,” he presses. “It can’t be that bad. I mean who could you even-”
Suddenly, Cisco falters. “Was it Dante?” he asks, aiming for supportive but still coming out horrified. “Did you sleep with my brother?”
“What?” Caitlin yips. Her whole body is wracked with sudden, explosive laughter, and Cisco sighs in relief. “Why would you think that?”
“Well,” Cisco defends. “You’re acting like it’s the end of the world. If it’s not my jerk brother, who could it be? What, is he married?”
“No,” Caitlin says quickly, gnawing at her lower lip, eyebrows knotted tensely together. “It’s nothing like that.”
Cisco throws his arms up in defeat. “Then what?” he asks. “What could possibly be so bad?”
“It’s Mick.”
The sudden confession takes Cisco aback, and for a moment, all he can do is blink owlishly at her.
“Mick Rory?”
Caitlin scoffs derisively. “No, Mick Jagger,” she deadpans.
“Wha-” Cisco begins, absolutely flummoxed, then, “how?”
Caitlin glares. “Use your imagination.”
“Whoa, hey, whoa,” Cisco sputters. “I don’t wanna think about that!”
“Then why would you ask?” Caitlin snaps.
Once more, quiet descends over the lab. Cisco watches as Caitlin fusses with the petri dish poised under her microscope, pointedly avoiding looking his way.
Eventually, the silence becomes too heavy, and Cisco sighs. “What are you gonna do?” he asks, voice soft and gentle.
Caitlin shrugs. “I don’t have to worry about it,” she replies. Cisco gives her a curious look, so she elaborates. “It was negative.”
For a moment, Cisco doesn’t know what to say. Finally, he asks, “if you’re not pregnant, then why are we even having this conversation?”
“I don’t know,” Caitlin says. “I guess, when I thought I was, I– I don’t know. I felt something. And when it turned out I wasn’t…”
Cisco frowns. “Were you disappointed?”
Softly, Caitlin sighs. “Not disappointed, exactly,” she says. “But maybe a bit wistful. Ronnie and I used to talk about having kids all the time. After he died, I didn’t want to think about it anymore. And then it just became this part of me that I forgot, or that I purposely made go away, I don’t know. Either way, when I thought I was pregnant, it felt a bit like having the old Caitlin back.
“I think I’m ready to move on,” Caitlin continues. “I mean, really ready.”
Cisco beams. “That’s great,” he says. “I’m happy for you, Caitlin.”
Warily, Caitlin chuckles. “Yeah,” she replies. “I don’t think you’re gonna be happy for me much longer.”
Cisco frowns. “What?” he asks. “Why not?”
“Well, I’m kinda thinking I maybe wanna move on with Mick.”
“Oh, yeah, you’re right. Definitely not happy.”