— 𝒮 —

A pounding headache greeted Sophia as her eyes fluttered open. The sound of running water was the first thing her ears registered, though it took her eyes some time to adjust to the darkness of wherever she was.

A metal gate was the first thing she saw, and she then cast her gaze downwards to see a construction hat, bright yellow, with a splash of blood on it.

The lights overhead flickered on. She was still in the sewers.

Shakily, she sat herself up, her aching bones making it a little difficult. The pain was strongest in her chest, though she did her best to ignore it.

There was sudden movement, causing her head to perk up. With a scrunched face and a groan, she reached into her pocket and pulled out Joe's gun, a little nervous as she raised it.

Footsteps boomed in the direction she was pointing the gun towards, and soon revealed Grodd.

Her eyes widened as her hand began to turn the gun towards her, and despite her attempts to stop it, her hand kept moving.

"What—? What are you doing to me?" she questioned in fright. "Help!" she yelled. "Cisco, help me!"

No help here.

Sophia's eyes widened. Though Grodd's lips had been closed, his deep voice rang clear in her head.

"I can—I can hear you in my head," she whispered, her eyes flicking between his scowl and the gun pointed straight towards her head. "You are telepathic."

Grodd leaned his face forward, snarling.

"Please," she whimpered as her thumb turned the safety off on its own. "Please. No, no, no."

Soft sobs left her as her hand moved the gun closer and closer to her head, and she couldn't feel anything except for fear, the hot and pounding sensation building up in her chest and ears.

She couldn't die. Not yet. She was barely at the quarter-mark in her life! She couldn't even tell Barry that she—

Suddenly, her hand tossed the gun to the side.

Father hate gun.

"Father," Sophia repeated shakily, feeling overwhelmed with relief. "Father. You mean—you mean Wells. Wells? Is that what you mean? Where is he?"

Not here.

— 𝐵 —

"You're experiencing a spike of activity in your primary motor cortex," said Caitlin, turning away from the monitor and to Barry. "It's the same thing we saw in Eiling. The images you saw were some kind of psychic attack by Grodd."

Barry nodded, though the words weren't processing in his head quite like they should have been. All he could think about was Sophia. And how he couldn't help her.

She could be anywhere. And she was with a telepathic gorilla. He had absolutely no way of knowing if she was safe, or if she was even still . . .

He could hardly even bring himself to consider that option.

"I put a tracker in the tranq dart you shot Grodd with," muttered Cisco as Barry stood up, and he could tell that her kidnapping was taking a toll on him as well. "As soon as it activates—"

"Cisco, I can't wait for that," Barry interrupted with a shake of the head. "I will search every inch of that sewer if I have to."

"And what happens if you find them?" questioned Caitlin with raised eyebrows. "What happens if Grodd takes over your mind the same way he did with Eiling?"

"I don't—I—" Barry sighed and shook his head. "Can you guys build me something? Some kind of tech so he can't get into my head?"

Cisco and Caitlin looked at each other, and Cisco scoffed as he shook his head.

"I don't know," Cisco sighed, his lips tugging into a frown as he rubbed his forehead. "Without Sophia . . ."

"I don't understand," interjected Iris, causing Barry to turn around to face her. "Every day you guys figure out a way to help people. All of the Flash's powers and all this equipment and you can't save Eddie and Sophia?"

She walked off.

"We'll figure something out," Caitlin reassured him quietly.

Barry nodded. "Fast."

Barry sighed as he headed out into the Cortex and sat on the edge of his desk. He ran his fingers through his hair before rubbing his face and groaning.

A hand on his shoulder made him look to the side, and Joe's frown met him.

"You okay?"

Barry pressed his lips together, and the tears he had been unknowingly holding back this entire time suddenly set themselves free.

"Joe, what if—" He let out a shaky sigh, using the back of his hand to wipe his damp cheeks. "What if she's—"

"She's not," Joe said firmly, the hand on his shoulder tightening. "He's using her as bait to get to you, just like he did with Eiling. He wouldn't . . . He wouldn't kill her."

"If she dies . . ." Barry slowly looked up at him, swallowing hard. "That's my fault."

"It's not, Bar," said Joe gently, his eyebrows furrowed. "If it's your fault, then it's mine and Cisco's, too. We were all there."

"No, you . . . I'm the Flash," Barry pointed out with a large sigh. "After Snart and Rory got her the first time, I promised her . . ."

"Hey, she knew what she was dealing with when she started dating you," Joe pointed out. "And she's smart—obviously. She'll find a way to stay okay."

Barry took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right."

"I promise, Bar, we'll get her back," Joe said softly. "Just stay focused."

He nodded once more, biting his lower lip. "I just . . . I love her, Joe, and I can't—"

Barry suddenly stopped. The words had escaped him before he could've even processed them.

Joe's eyebrows raised. "Barry?"

Barry's eyes widened slightly, and he stared straight ahead of him as he whispered, "I love her."

He had had barely any time to think about their relationship in depth for a while, what with all the Reverse Flash-related events happening. Much less did he have any time to realize his feelings.

But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him. He loved her. Truly, wholly, deeply.

After all they had been through—all the disaster, all the trouble, all the tears—how could he not be?

"Bar? What's—oh." A look of realization dawned on Joe's face, and his voice became quieter, "Oh. You haven't told her, have you?"

Barry wiped away his last tear and shook his head.

— 𝐵 —

"An anti-telepathy strip," began Cisco as Barry walked into the Cortex a couple of hours later. "It uses magnetic resonance to neutralize any foreign neurological stimulus."

Barry took the headset from Cisco tentatively as Iris walked up and asked:

"So it'll protect Barry from being mind-controlled?"

"That's the hope." Caitlin nodded. "But we have no way of knowing if it actually works."

Barry could feel the uneasiness grow in the room, and he nodded and reassured everyone, "It'll work."

A whirring noise sounded, and Cisco's eyes widened. "The tracker just came online."

They hurried to the computer behind them, which had a map pulled up, and Cisco grinned.

"We have Grodd's location."

Barry peered at the location, and as soon as he had identified it, he changed into his suit and sped away.

The wind rushed by his ears and he felt his heart rate elevate. He had to get her back. This was his only chance.

"Barry," came Cisco's voice through the earpiece, "what's your ETA?"

Barry skidded to a stop between two trucks, just where they had planned—five-point-three miles away from Grodd—and panted out, "All right, I'm in position."

He then slid on the anti-telepathy strip, silently praying that it would work as he adjusted it to fit his head.

"Wait for my signal."

Barry steadied his breath as he bent his knees and licked his lips. Anytime now.

"The steam's working. Grodd's on the move."

He rolled his shoulders back and tilted his head down.

"Hit it!"

With a deep inhale, Barry began to run, as fast as his feet could take him. He could feel his energy and adrenaline flowing through him, leading his feet forward, and he kept one thing in his head to urge him forward—Sophia.

He entered the sewers, and the bright lights from the streetlamps disappeared, though he didn't let that distract him.

He sped down the sewer, arms pumping faster than ever, and his eyes quickly made out a dark figure at the end of the tunnel.

Grodd growled as he turned and faced Barry, and he began to stomp down the tunnel towards him.

Barry grit his teeth together. Now or never.

He raised a fist, leaping towards Grodd to hit him with the same supersonic punch he had used against Girder.

His fist met Grodd's, though, to his surprise, it had no effect. Grodd tossed him into the room just beyond the tunnel, and Barry fell to the ground with a groan, rolling a couple of times.

He then noticed that the anti-telepathy strip had fallen off, so he grabbed it and quickly jammed it back onto his head.

"Here we go," Barry breathed out, scrambling to his feet as Grodd came in front of him.

Barry breathed heavily, though he was glad to see the headset was working while Grodd stared at him intensively.

"It's okay, Cisco," Barry said. "The headset's working."

"Yes! Okay, uh, try some speed punches on him."

Barry inhaled before speeding towards Grodd, and he circled him as he threw as many punches against the hard body as he could.

Despite his effort, Grodd didn't seem fazed at all by the punches, so Barry grunted out, "This isn't working!"

Caitlin was quick to reply, "Okay, what if you try—"

Barry's body suddenly became motionless as Grodd grabbed him by the neck, and he desperately grabbed at the thick hand as he attempted to pull it away. He could feel himself growing lightheaded as Grodd growled and tightened his grip.

"Barry!" shouted Cisco, though all Barry could do was groan in agony as he felt himself losing consciousness.

Suddenly, pain exploded over his body as Grodd slammed him through the wall, and he fell to the ground. The anti-telepathy strip had fallen off again, though it no longer was glowing red.

Barry stumbled to his feet, grabbing onto a metal railing on the ground and soon realizing he was in the middle of a train track. He tottered to the furthest side, seeing Grodd through the hole in the wall, and tried to regain his breath.

Grodd roared, and suddenly, Barry was greeted with the familiar piercing pain in his head.

Images of surgeons and needles flashed through his mind, and the loud screeching in his ears combined with the striking pain caused him to fall to his knees, his hands grabbing his head.

Human weak.

The memories were growing more vivid in his mind—the teal liquid filling the needle, the leering faces of the surgeons, the bright hospital light—though Barry could hardly focus on that as he groaned and fell to the ground.

The pain in his head was immeasurable—far worse than it had been before. It pounded at every edge of his skull, beating him senseless.

"Barry," Caitlin urged, though her voice was rather faint, "you have to get out of there now!"

"Barry, listen to me, okay? Listen to my voice. Whatever is happening to you, you have to fight it!" suddenly came Iris' voice, pleading. "I know you can do this. I know how strong you are. Stand up to Grodd. You can do this. Please. Do it for Sophia."

Sophia.

Barry shut his eyes, attempting to ignore the worsening pain and flashing images.

He had to save her.

The screech of a train behind him sounded, and he managed to get himself to his feet and speed to the side, pressing himself against the metal fence just as the train began to pass.

He could feel the pain in his head subsiding while the wind from the passing train whipped against him. He had to focus. It was life or death now—for both him and Sophia.

Once the train was gone, Grodd snarled and jumped through the hole.

Seeing the lights coming from the end of the tunnel once more, Barry quickly realized that another train was coming and stepped to the middle of the tracks.

Grodd leapt towards him, a fist poised for a hard punch, and just before both Grodd could reach him and the train could hit him, Barry sped out of the way, hearing the loud thud as the front of the next train slammed into Grodd.

Barry leaned back against the metal fence, breathing heavily as he watched the train disappear.

Now reassured that Grodd wasn't going to come back, Barry sped back into the room Grodd had thrown him out of and down the hall.

He finally found Sophia, who was leaned against the wall, her skin reddened and drenched in sweat.

"Sophia," he breathed out, feeling relief immediately overwhelm him as he knelt down next to her.

"Barry," she whispered as he gently cupped her hot cheek, her voice cracking. "Please get me out of here."

— 𝐵 —

Barry sighed, rubbing his forehead as he walked into the Pipeline.

He walked up to the tablet, then opened the door to reveal Eiling, who was peering at him through his cell door.

"Mr. Allen," the general greeted loudly. "How nice of you to visit. Exactly how long do you intend to keep me prisoner?"

Barry resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he pressed the button to open the cell door.

"Your brain scan's normal, which means Grodd is no longer controlling you," Barry informed him. "This prison is for meta-humans, so you're free to go."

Eiling took a few tentative steps forward, glanced back at the cell, and then began making his usual confident strides towards the door.

However, Barry wasn't going to let him off scot-free.

"You will get what's coming to you eventually," he called to the general, who stopped and turned to him.

"I'm not ashamed of my actions, Mr. Allen," Eiling scoffed. "You've seen what these meta-humans are capable of. Soon your prison won't be enough."

Barry glanced back at the cell before rebutting, "Not all meta-humans are dangerous."

An amused smile appeared on the general's face. "You're afraid that I know you're the Flash? Don't get your tights in a twist; I've known for months. If I wanted to come after you, I'd have done it by now."

Eiling turned and took another step, though he paused as Barry said, "But you think you're gonna need me."

Eiling turned around and took a few steps towards him, dropping his voice, "Harrison Wells turned me over to that beast. He used me like a damn puppet. So like it or not, we have a common enemy, you and I. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a gorilla to hunt."

Barry pursed his lips, watching as the general left the Pipeline. He sighed, tucking his hands into the pockets of his brown blazer.

Whatever. He had much more important matters to attend to.

"I said be still! You have three fractured ribs."

Barry chuckled as he walked into the Med Lab, watching as Sophia, who was laid in the hospital bed, rolled her eyes and said, "I'll be fine, Cait."

"Soph," Joe chided, "you need to rest."

Caitlin sighed as she shook her head and looked at Cisco, who was leaning against the wall. "I can't believe Grodd became so violent."

Cisco paused before he looked at Sophia, and a grin grew on his face. "What was his lair like? Does he like King Kong? He's more of a Planet of the Apes kind of ape?"

Sophia squinted her eyes. "Uh, terrifying. And, believe it or not, I didn't ask."

Cisco frowned. "Bummer."

Barry shook his head in amusement before looking toward the group and asking, "You guys mind if I talk to Sophia alone?"

The others nodded, and they patted Sophia's arms and muttered words to her before filtering out of the room.

Barry grabbed a nearby chair and pulled it up next to her bed. He sat down, giving her a small smile as he softly greeted, "Hey."

She smiled. "Hi."

"You okay?"

"Oh, I'm totally fine," she reassured him as she waved her hand dismissively, though the wince afterwards told him otherwise. "Feel like a million bucks right now."

"You sure about that?" Barry asked, both a little amused and concerned. "Caitlin told me you have three fractured ribs."

"And do you know how much those would sell for on the black market?" Her eyebrows raised. "Well, maybe not a million bucks, but you get it."

"Good point." He chuckled, though his lips soon turned into a frown. "Listen, Soph, I—"

"No."

"Wha—I—" he spluttered, his eyebrows quickly furrowing. "No?"

Sophia shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips afterwards. "No."

"What do you mean?"

"I know what you're gonna say," she said before sighing once more. "It wasn't your fault, Barry."

She knew him too well. Barry pressed his lips together for a moment, his gaze moving down to his clasped hands on his lap. "Wasn't it?"

"What could you have done? You were knocked out," she pointed out. "And even if you weren't, it still wouldn't have been your fault."

"Soph . . ."

"What about Cisco and Joe, huh?" she questioned, her eyebrows raising. "They were there, fully conscious, but they couldn't do anything."

"That's different," Barry rebutted, picking his head up to meet her gaze insistently. "I'm the Flash. I'm supposed to save everyone."

"And you did," she said softly. "You saved me."

"You shouldn't have been—"

"Barry, please," she interrupted, shaking her head. "I knew what I was signing up for when I started helping the Flash—we all did. Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself."

Barry bit his lip and nodded. Despite the fact that he wasn't totally convinced, he knew she would remain insistent on this, and he decided to give it a rest.

He sighed, lowering his head once more. His gaze drifted over the laces of his shoes.

Now that she was here, safe and sound, he was completely free to tell her about how he felt. And now that the panic and adrenaline had disappeared, all he was left with was anxiousness. What if she didn't feel the same? What if she thought he was—ironically—moving too fast?

Not now, he decided. He'd think of a romantic, nice, sweet way to tell her. When she wasn't in a hospital bed, either.

"What is it?"

Barry's head lifted, his eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

Sophia squinted her eyes, examining him for a moment before giving a small shrug (and wincing). "You have something else to say."

"No, I—I don't," he said quickly, shaking his head and reaching over to pat her arm. "I'm just happy you're okay, sweetheart."

"Come on," she chuckled. "I can tell. What is it?"

"I don't think . . ." He scrunched his nose. "I don't think this is the right setting to say it."

"Anything is the right setting when it's you and me," she said softly, a small smile settling on her lips. "Just say it."

He shook his head once more. "It can wait."

"Okay." She sighed, pressing her lips together. "But I do have something I wanna say to you."

"Hm?"

"When I was down there, I . . . I'll be honest, I thought I was gonna die." She sighed once more, deeper, and shook her head. "Not because I didn't think you wouldn't be able to save me, I just thought Grodd would eat me before then or something."

Barry's lips parted into an amused smile. "Eat you?"

"So many years with Cisco does stuff to you," she replied humorously with a shrug. "Anyway, there was a moment I really thought I was going to die in the beginning, and all I could . . . All I could think was that I was never going to be able to tell you that I . . ."

Barry's eyebrows raised as she trailed off, and his heart suddenly began to beat at an unusual rate. Could she be saying what he thought she was?

Her gaze lowered to the blanket spread over her, and a smile settled on her face as she quietly continued, "That I love you."

Barry could hardly hear himself as he whispered, "You do?"

"I do." She lifted her head and met his gaze. "I love you, Barry Allen."

Barry found himself unable to reply. All he could feel was relief.

She loved him.

Thank God, because otherwise that would've been really awkward.

"Barry?" she questioned, bringing him out of his daze. "It's okay if—"

"I love you, too."