A/N: Hey guys! Brought this story back because I missed it and I realized I had more to write. Hope you are following along. Sorry for the lack of updates, I don't have a lot of time to write sometimes, but it helps when you guys leave reviews as I update. I've had maybe one review as soon as I update then people always end up dropping reviews later on my stories. Please guys, read and review. It truly helps with fast updates. I don't know who is reading so let me know who you are. I get discouraged when I don't see reviews. Especially the people who set this story to alert, why did you? What is it that you like? What do you want to happen? Tell me? OK, as always let me know what you think and please don't wait months to tell me. It hurts me as a writer to see that. I'm updating partners and all my other stories soon. Make sure to watch The Flash 5x19 tonight! I've been seeing Snowbarry scenes and it'll be Caitlin-centric involving Killer Frost and her father Icicle. Make sure you tweet the writers and especially the new show runner (ewrote on twitter) what you want to see for next season. I feel Snowbarry coming, WA is headed for divorce, smells like winning. Alright everyone, that's it for now. Bye all! :)
Barry breathed in sharply, his attention stayed on Caitlin as she approached the gated building of his parent's residence. He noticed her hands shaking and heard from her thoughts and shook his head. He was worried she might mess this up and his parents will see through the act.
Caitlin's finger hovered over the doorbell before slamming her eyes shut before touching the bell button.
"Go on, you better do it now before someone thinks this is a prank." Barry said in her ear.
"Like it already is? You're not helping." Caitlin said through grit teeth.
"So you're just gonna stand here all day? We came here to make the plan work. You know everything you need to know. More than I care to want anyone to know." Barry confessed.
"Yeah, way more than even family should know. Can you just, not be in my ear and my head right now? Your folks are gonna think I'm crazy."
Barry rolled his eyes. "Trust me, I'd rather my family hear and see me then what I got now."
Caitlin whipped her head to glare at him.
Barry shook his head, keeping his distance from where she stood. "Happy now? Just focus OK? My parents are naturally suspicious. They need to see if you're lying or not."
Which I am, Caitlin thought. Barry accidentally heard but caught his response before saying anything about it. She looked at him with a glare, knowing he heard what she said. Don't you dare.
"Just make it look real. Put on your best Kate Winslet here. I need them on your side. We need them."
She sighed.
"Caitlin, please...I don't have anybody left." Barry said, something about the way he said those words made her push some insecurity away.
"Stop being so melodramatic. There's no guarantee this will work, what is the problem here?!" She exclaimed ringing the doorbell again.
Barry phased through the door, spying inside the house and it looked empty. The maids were doing chores but it looked quiet among the rest of the room. Barry came back and wore a concerned expression.
"This is odd. They don't normally leave the house, half the time they don't even trust the staff to take care of the place. Something is wrong."
Caitlin groaned. "I'm wasting my time, aren't I? This is all one big joke."
Barry shook his head, not buying that for a second. "No, I just don't know what the hell is going on."
"What exactly would be going on?"
He took a moment to think, "Wait, knock on the door again, if they are still home at least one of the maids would let you in, just knock and do everything I'm telling you."
Caitlin sighed, rolling her eyes, "Whatever," she said, raising her hand to knock more solidly this time.
They both waited but Barry phased through the door to spot one of his maids turning to walk to the front foyer. He pulled back and turned to Caitlin who just gawked at him with a perplexed expression.
"Well, what?"
"OK, act natural, one of the maids is coming."
The door opened to reveal one of the maids; she was middle aged, grey demeanor but wore a sweet smile.
"Can I help you dear?" She asked in her posh British accent.
Caitlin gulped; her eyes wide but she remembered what Barry told her to ask. "Oh yes, do you know if Henry and Nora Allen are home?"
"They are not, may I ask why you wish to know?"
Caitlin stared at Barry for answer; she forgot what he told her. "Oh I would like to speak with them. You see, I knew their son, Barry. I've known him since, since high school, we did everything together. Movies, sports, he was my best friend. I would like to see his parents again."
The maid looked at her with suspicious eyes. "I see. Well, there is no way to reach them. They are not here. I'm sorry, I cannot help you dear. Good day."
Caitlin stopped her before she shut the door. "Wait, I need to say something. OK I did know Barry but you see he was my best friend; he was actually my first kiss. He told me I was his. We were really close. I still...think about the time we spent together and I miss him. Gosh, I miss him so much. Please, a phone number, something. I need to know if the man I still care about is OK."
The maid looked into Caitlin eyes, pulling away with a slight sympathetic look. She had had people coming by pretending to know the family for years, trying to swarm their way into the fortune, but there was something about this girl that didn't feel like the rest. Something genuine. She was starting to believe her.
"I'm sorry I just realized I don't know your name, dear." She raised her brows.
Caitlin smiled gently. "Caitlin. Please, I need your help. Barry needs me. I know it."
The elder woman downcast her eyes, feeling the weight of this young girl's words; it sounded urgent. Against her better judgments she relented, hoping her instincts were on point as opposed to her gnawing suspicions.
"Very well, won't you please come in dear?" She said, moving aside as Caitlin took a moment to react.
She gave a slightly shocked look, but from the corner of her eye found Barry as he looked between the two of them, nodding her onward.
Caitlin walked in slowly as the maid closed the door with a lock. "Thank you."
"Did you attend Addison Preparatory with Barry?" The maid asked her and Caitlin stopped in the hallway.
"She's asking about my private school; say yes, it was co-ed." Barry whispered in her ear.
She relaxed and followed the maid in the kitchen. "Yes, it has been a while."
Barry bugged his eyes at her and she returned his look. The maid was walking to the kitchen as Caitlin followed. The woman sighed and took out two tea cups as she turned on the kettle.
Caitlin didn't know whether to sit down or stand or wait until she had permission.
"Tea?" She offered Caitlin.
"Say yes," Barry spoke in her ear as Caitlin nodded with clenched teeth. "You can sit down; don't let her see through your nerves. She's good at catching people in a lie." Barry whispered almost brashly into her ear.
Caitlin winced, didn't bother looking at him and slowly sat down at the small but fancy kitchen table. Caitlin watched as the elderly woman joined her. She seemed to be staring off in thought. Caitlin blinked several times before breaking the ice.
"I just realized, forgive me, I don't know you're name." Caitlin asked her, startling her in the moment.
She finally looked up it was then Caitlin saw she had tortoise eyes. "My name is Elsa, and you are Caitlin?"
Caitlin nodded, feeling Barry's eyes on her but found some way to stay in the role she was playing. "I heard what happened, with Barry. But I-I guess it was too painful to face what he's been through. He and I, we were very close friends, I miss him so much."
Elsa smiled sadly as she stared off. "Barry doesn't have many friends; I've known him all his life. Raised him myself, seen him grow up, grow into the man he is today, but quite honestly, he hasn't got any real friends. It's just sad knowing what has happened now. Forgive me for earlier. We've had many try to pretend to know the family for years. Have you gone to see him yet?"
Caitlin watched Barry stand behind Elsa, as he gave her a shake of his head, telling her what to answer.
"Oh, it's been too painful, I..." She eyed Barry as he rolled his eyes, "I'm just not sure I'm ready."
Elsa sighed, she stared at Caitlin for a long moment. Even though she couldn't shake the feeling something was just off about the girl, she felt personal. Almost too personal, like she had a true connection with Barry that she couldn't understand. It seemed real and it made her believe what Caitlin was saying. There was a peculiar feeling she couldn't ignore about this girl.
"I think you are, I can go with you. I couldn't bare to go myself, Barry is too precious to me. I pray every day and night he wakes up, I love him dearly. He never knew I thought so, but he always had a great heart. I should have told him every day, not before...this..." She said, holding back her emotions.
Caitlin reached out her hand on impulse and placed it over Elsa's. Caitlin was surprised by it herself but went with it. Even though she was playing a role, she felt for this woman, like a mother to a son or daughter, she felt the love she had for Barry. Caitlin swallowed roughly.
"We should see him, you're right. I'm sorry you're going through this." Caitlin said, her eyes glossing over just a slight.
Elsa smiled sadly. "It would be difficult but I do think he would want us to be near him. Maybe pray for a miracle from God himself."
Barry coughed as he sat across from Caitlin, staring between her and his caretaker. "I always knew she cared, never this much. I took her protection over me for granite. She was more of a mother to me than my real one."
Caitlin felt her eyes become wet but refused to let Barry see her cry. She had to remain in control, not get too attached. Play the part but don't allow the part to become her. This wasn't real; she had to stop herself from feeling anything else.
She was worried Barry can hear her thoughts and decided to shut off her mind at that moment. Barry promised not to get inside her head but she didn't think he would hold his word. She just hoped he didn't hear something he shouldn't, like her actually feeling sorry for him.
Caitlin moved her attention back to only woman who seemed to love Barry. She saw it in her eyes. Elsa stood from the table to grab a tissue and dabbed her eyes. Caitlin didn't mean to linger her stare but she couldn't help it, the woman was having a break down and she felt bad for lying to her.
"I'm sorry my dear, I don't mean to be like this, I suppose it hurts me more than I care to say. I've seen Nora and Henry grieve and I just wish my prayers were answered already. Perhaps I should see Barry, maybe touch his hand, talk to him, it would help."
"That's not a bad idea, try to convince her." Barry said, urging Caitlin.
Caitlin's eyes danced over to Barry as he stared at the ground, unable to respond. "We can go together. Maybe there is some way he can hear us and come back. Maybe a miracle can happen after all."
"You really feel for him don't you?" Elsa asked.
She hated how cornered she felt with that question. "Like I said, it's been awhile, feelings don't go away."
Barry scoffed, Caitlin jumped suddenly. He sounded upset with her answer. Didn't he want her to put on a performance? She misunderstood his reaction. She glanced his way and saw him smirking sarcastically. She bit her lip as Elsa came to sit down beside her. She was conflicted but the woman beside her made her feel calm.
"No, they don't. I'm sure you still feel strongly for him now, I can see it in your eyes. This is personal to you too." Elsa concluded.
Caitlin bit her lip, all this was an act but this woman saw through her. A fake performance but Elsa still saw the sympathy in Caitlin's eyes. She believed her words and yet they didn't feel like they belonged to her. Barry Allen, in the short time that she knew him didn't deserve this type of strong love. A life is still a life, sure, but Caitlin felt kidnapped from her life. Barry was robbing her freedom and he was laughing at her attempting to proof her part in what he wanted her to be. He could be more supportive, but no, he chose to be an arrogant asshole. Some part of her thought he deserved what happened to him, but she couldn't bring herself to fully realize this.
Caitlin smiled and looked down said, "I have no choice in the matter."
It wasn't a lie and Barry knew it, the double meaning. If Caitlin was going to be put through this, she was going to stick it to Barry any chance she got. She knew Barry glared at her and she didn't care. Her smile went brighter and more authentic.
Elsa held her held as she stood up, giving her a small pat.
"Visiting hours are open, let's go. He might need some comfort now."
Caitlin smiled and joined her. She didn't look at Barry at all. If she was going to make this real she had to pretend he wasn't there, Elsa would suspect her and the plan was over. Caitlin wanted her sanity and freedom back so she stared forward. She was still in character and yet showing her true self. No way this rich, spoiled punk was going to control every aspect of this.