A/N: So, yeah. It's been awhile and I apologize. Life is crazy.
I do not own The Flash.
Let me know what you think!
And enjoy!
Chapter 25
Caitlin and Barry continued their routine. They would wake up in each other's arms, go to work return home, decide what to do for dinner then either she would go to his apartment or he would come to hers but they always found their way back to one another.
Four months into the relationship and things were going smoothly. Caitlin often visited Barry at work. She formed close companionships with Julian and Joe. Even Captain Singh adored her; never yelling at Barry when she was around.
Barry would spend the mornings at STAR Labs, growing even closer to Cisco and even forming a semi-acquaintanceship with Dr. Wells. (Even though Harry begrudgingly agreed to admit they were friends.) Jay seemed to back off, especially when Barry was around and even noticed Dr. Wells and Cisco rarely left her alone nowadays.
Their worlds were colliding. Intertwining into one, and Barry reveled in it. He loved that they worked so well together. Moving together like a well-oiled machine in the morning when Caitlin was less than chipper or at night when Barry was beyond exhausted from a long day at work. Their worlds just melded together and became one.
Barry was working late one evening. "Cait, I know we agreed, dinner at seven but Singh has me working this case and I'm so close to finishing it I just need a bit more time."
"Do you want me to give him a call? Tell him you need to eat and rest in order to perform your best?" She chuckled adjusting the phone between her ear and shoulder as she added the spices to dinner.
"No. No, he is just going to complain that I'm 'using that pretty girl of yours against me' and I really don't need that." Barry laughed into the phone, spinning in his chair as he responded, "How is dinner coming?"
"The spice slipped, I used too many peppers, and the house caught on fire." She replied in a deadpan voice, "Barry it's fine. Smells great actually. But still has an hour. It'd be great to not eat it alone this time."
"I know. I'll try and finish this up quickly then." He straightens in his chair his eyes falling back on the board.
"You better. I love you." She stopped stirring the pasta to hold her phone properly.
"Love you too." Barry replied genuinely, "Bye Cait."
"Bye Barr."
Returning to the board with all the information about the case on it he stretched his limbs and began working, a new way of energy flashing through him at the thought of Caitlin at home.
Caitlin hung up her phone and returned to cooking the meal. Jumping from one portion to the other time moved fairly quickly. She was finishing up the last finishing touches on the meal when she her a knock at her door.
"Just a second!" She called out turning down the flames of the stove. She walked to the door expecting Barry.
"Dinner is just about done. Did you lose your key again?" She asked as she opened the door.
"Expecting someone else?" Iris replied sending her a sheepish smile.
"Iris? What a surprise. What are you doing here?" Caitlin asked surprised.
"I was wondering if we could talk?" Iris added shuffling her fingers together.
"Talk? Yes, of course, come in! It's getting cold out there." Caitlin offered opening the door a little wider.
Iris visibly relaxed, enjoying the fact that she was willing to let her in and hear her out. "Thank you."
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Caitlin asked making her way back into the kitchen, assuming Iris would follow.
"Barry, actually. He has been avoiding me and I wanted to talk to you because of everything that happened. And I wanted to see if you had any thoughts about what I said last time Barry and I talked. About still being friends. And I just want to know–"
"Iris! Woah! Calm down. You are talking too fast, breathe." Caitlin rushed to get her a glass of water.
After taking a deep breath and a sip of water, Caitlin asked her to repeat what she said but one at a time.
"Barry has been avoiding me. And he has every right to but it's been a few months and I miss him in my life. The last time we talked he said maybe we could be friends but he needed time; that we shouldn't see each other for a while and I stayed away. But I miss him, I miss you, and I miss my dad. I miss everyone in my life. And I know I have no right to ask you for forgiveness but I really am so sorry for hurting Barry."
Caitlin listened intently nodding her head at moments during Iris' short monologue. Swishing around the wine in her glass, Caitlin looking Iris in the eye. "That's not my decision Iris."
Iris nodded her head in disappointment. Her eyes began watering, but she quickly blinked them back. "It's okay. I understand."
"No, Iris. It's not my decision. You really hurt Barry. It's his choice to forgive you, and I will support any choice he makes. But for what it's worth… It takes a lot of guts coming here, apologizing, and leaving everything up to him. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you."
Caitlin gave her a small smile. Iris returned it with a wide grin, a tear falling from her eye. "Thank you."
"I'll have you know that I actually enjoyed having another girl to spend time with in Central City." Caitlin giggled at how ridiculous her situation was. "It's not always easy asking Lissy to come here."
"I understand. But thank you for hearing me out. I really appreciate it." Iris held her hand out for Caitlin to take. "I hope we can become friends again."
"I know how difficult Barry can be. He holds grudges and his emotions can flip so easily sometimes but, he has a good heart and he follows it. If not now, in time he will forgive you." Caitlin's words gave Iris a sense of hope.
"You really are perfect for each other." Iris said awed by how well Caitlin knew Barry. "Anyway, I should get going. Can you tell him to give me a call or maybe we can get lunch some time? The four of us?"
"That might be a stretch for right now but I'll let him know you stopped by." Caitlin pulled open the door.
"Bye Caitlin." Doing something spontaneous and fueled with the positivity Caitlin provided about her situation, she pulled Caitlin into a brief hug before heading out the front door. Sending one more smile her way before turning the corner down the hallway.
"Bye Iris." She closed the door still stunned.
She headed back towards the kitchen. She chugged the last of her wine before refilling her glass and pouring Barry one. She filled the plates with food and set the table. Caitlin made her way to the bathroom attempting to fix up her makeup a bit before Barry got home.
"Honey, I'm home!" Barry smiled entering the front door. Pulling the key out of the lock and back into his pocket, he dropped his bag and took his coat off. Barry shrugged his shoes off and made his way into the dining room. Following his nose Barry found the table set, food ready, some candles lit and soft music playing.
"Okay, everything is here for a romantic dinner except my girlfriend." Barry mumbled to himself. "Cait!"
He found Caitlin curled up asleep on the couch, still in her work clothes. Her wine glass left abandoned on the coffee table. He sat next to her on the couch cooing gently, coercing her into consciousness.
"Cait? Baby, wake up. You didn't have to wait up for me." He said brushing her hair out of her face a fond smile growing on his face.
"I didn't want you to have to eat alone again. Plus, I missed you." She mumbled half asleep, opening her arms for him to come to her.
He lifted her into his lap, "Babe, I miss you too. Always." Giving her a gentle kiss. She couldn't help but sigh into his lips. She loved him so much.
As if Barry's kiss had given her energy, she stumbled out of his arms stretching slightly before taking his hands in hers. "Come join me for dinner. It should still be warm."
He smiled and followed her out of the living room, towards the dining table. Truthfully, he would follow her anywhere. After pulling out her chair and sliding into his own he asked, "So, how was your day, Babe?" He shoved a forkful of food into his mouth and continued talking with food in his mouth. "Anything interesting happen?"
"Really, Barry? Chew please." She scoffed.
"You didn't answer my question." He pointed his fork at her before continuing to eat.
"Yeah. Uhm, Iris stopped by today."
The screech of forks against plates stopped. Caitlin snuck a quick glance up at Barry's expression. Noting his silence, she powered through. "She was looking for you."
"Oh."
"Barry… I think you should call her."
Barry's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "Why?"
"Well we are in a good place right now and I know that you two were friends for a long time. I just think that it would be nice if you two tried to reconcile."
"Cait, there is no reconciling she cheated on me and I don't need her in my life anymore."
"I think you are just saying that to ignore the problem. Don't use me as an excuse as to not fix your problems with Iris. I love you and you love me, I know that. I wouldn't get jealous if you and Iris were friends again." Caitlin said standing up to take her plate to the sink.
"I'm not using you as an excuse!" Barry rushed out, his tone clearly annoyed as he followed her into the kitchen.
"Then what is so bad about a phone call? Or a coffee meeting?"
Barry opened his mouth to respond but the words got caught in his throat. Coughing to clear his throat he responded, "Cait, I'm just not sure I'm ready to face her. It's already hard enough with Eddie at work."
"If it's too hard to do by yourself, I'll go with you." She offered simply.
Barry stared at her for a long moment. "You would come with me?"
"Of course. Barry, that what people do in a relationship. I want you to be able to come to me when you have problems. I'm here to help you through them." She brushed her hand across his cheek.
"God, I love you." Barry exhaled as he pulled her to him tightly.
She let out a short laugh, "I love you too."
He placed a kiss on her hair and on her forehead. After holding each other for a few moments Caitlin pulled away and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "So, are you going to call her?"
"I will tomorrow. You think you can come by the precinct for lunch?"
"Yeah, I'll be there at 12:30 okay?"
"C'mon let's not talk about it any further. It's just me and you tonight. And you promised me a quiet night."
Barry smirked at her and couldn't help but tease her with a short innuendo, "You are never quiet."
"Not like that Barry! Jeez… What am I going to do with you and that mind of yours?" Caitlin shook her head.
"Maybe love me forever?" Barry supplied following her towards her bedroom.
"That's beside the point." She muttered shooting him a smile as she searched through her dresser for some comfy clothes.
Barry wandered to his few drawers and began searching through his things. Caitlin watched him as he moved around her room comfortably and familiar with everything in it. Caitlin didn't realize how often Barry spent the night here and how well they seemed to work together. Cisco had made a comment earlier in the week that he was surprised that her and Barry hadn't moved in together yet. But thinking about it, maybe the couple had unconsciously been living together for a while.
Thinking about it, Barry rarely returned to his apartment at the end of the night. And Caitlin wasn't fond of waking up without him beside her. They just meshed together so well that they didn't even notice the change.
After Caitlin had changed, she lied awake in bed staring at the ceiling thinking about her thoughts from earlier. Have they been technically living together their entire relationship. She knew at first it was hard for Barry to return to his apartment because that's where he found Iris and Eddie. So, she allowed him to stay for a while. But have they adapted to living together they didn't even notice it.
Caitlin was so lost in her thoughts she didn't realize Barry had joined her in bed until she felt the bed dip down next to her and felt his arms coil around her body. She smiled down at him as he rested his head on her chest.
"What're you thinking about?" He muttered taking a moment before looking up at her.
She was silent for a moment, just stared at him, taking in his presence. "You ever think about moving in?"
He tensed, "What?"
"Moving in with me?" He shuffled to sit up and look at her, "I mean you basically live here anyway and we are serious about one another. I don't know, it was just a thought."
Caitlin bit her lip in the worried way she did when she began over-thinking things. Barry sat there thinking for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. "I think it's a great idea, Cait."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I mean I still think we shouldn't rush everything in our relationship but maybe I can move a few things in here and there." Barry shrugged, grinning up at her.
"Oh, Barry!" She threw her arms around his shoulders pulling him closer to her. "I thought you were going to say no."
"Never. You are my girl, Cait." He muttered kissing her hair. "C'mon let's get some sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow."
Barry leaned over shutting off the side table lamp before curling back around Caitlin, this time her head resting on his chest. The steady breaths shared between the two were lulling them both to sleep. Caitlin fought through the sleep haze for a few moments, wanting Barry's attention once more.
"Barry?"
"Hmm."
"I think… that no matter what each one of us faces… we can get through it," She yawned, kissing his bare chest briefly before continuing, "together."
Barry smiled looking down at Caitlin as she dozed off. He brushed her hair affectionately, "Together sounds nice." He muttered before falling asleep himself. Images of their future together taking over their dreams
Barry arrived at CCPD nearly an hour earlier than usual. He was going to give Iris a call before his official work day began and Julian would complain about him being on the phone during his working time. But an hour into staring at his phone, his finger hovering over the numbers, and more than three coffee excuses; he officially couldn't hold it off anymore.
Pacing back and forth the length of his desk. Clenching and unclenching his fist as he finally dialed her number. As each ring played through, Barry got more and more anxious. After a few moments, that seemed like an eternity to Barry, Iris' voice was heard through the speaker.
"Hello?"
"Iris," Barry breathed out a shaking breath, "Hey."
"Barry? Wow, I'm surprised Caitlin actually got you to call me back. I should have gone to her a long time ago."
"Y-yeah. She works wonders." Barry awkwardly replied.
"How have you been? It's been awhile." She asked.
"Umm yeah, I'm good. Really good actually."
"That really great to hear, Barr."
Barry flinched at the nickname. It felt wrong coming from her after everything that happened. All the pain. They were strangers starting over again. She didn't know him enough to call him that, even if they were friends for years.
Iris picked up on Barry's quietness and assumed correctly it was because of the nickname. "Sorry, it just kinda slipped out."
"It's okay." He cleared his throat awkwardly as Julian walked through the doors of their shared lab. He saw Barry was on the phone, a personal phone call and tapped the watch on his left wrist. Telling him to hurry up, "So, Caitlin tells me you wanted to talk?"
"Yeah actually. I was wondering if we could talk about what happened, maybe move on from it and be friends again. I know it's a stretch and I really don't deserve it but I thought I would try. I really miss being friends with you, Barry."
"Maybe. Let's just start with talking, okay? Are you free for lunch today? I'm meeting Cait at Jitters at 12:30? You can bring Eddie."
"Can't do anything without your other half, huh?" Iris let out a little laugh.
"Can't do anything without my better half, actually." Barry smiled at the thought of Caitlin as his other half.
"Alright. We'll be there." Iris affirmed.
"Okay. Uhh, cool. See you then."
"Yes, see you then."
"Bye."
"Bye, Barry." Iris bid him goodbye hanging up.
"Tough call mate?" Julian teased as he leaned against his own desk looking at a clearly worn-out Barry.
"The worst. That was Iris."
"Yikes. Why in the world would you call her?" Julian questioned with a visible wince knowing their situation.
"She showed up at Caitlin's apartment yesterday before I got home." Barry replied with an exhausted sigh.
"Sneaky. Going through Caitlin to get to you. Brilliant, but sneaky." Julian nodded.
"Yeah. And I have no idea what I am going to say to her. I don't even know if I have anything to say to her." Barry rubbed his face with his hands in frustration.
"Hey, don't let it distract you from work today. We still have the Thompson case to finish." Julian tried to encourage Barry.
Groaning in annoyance, "You are the worst at giving friendly advice."
"Oh, are we friends now?" Julian smirked teasing Barry. "I thought I was just doing Caitlin a favor by being nice to you."
"Shut up." Barry managed a chuckle before sending a quick text to Caitlin under his desk. Barry often felt like he was in high school again. Sneaking messages while his teacher's attention was away.
'Jitters at 12:30, See you then babe.' -Barry
'Okay. Don't forget to take something back for Julian. He can always appreciate a coffee from Jitters.' -Caitlin
Barry laughed dropping his phone on his desk.
"You texting Caitlin again?" Julian asked, his head buried in a file.
"Yes. What kind of coffee you want this time?" Barry laughed.
"You are so lucky to have Caitlin, Allen. She is truly and angel." Julian laughed with him.
"So, the usual then?" Barry asked pulling out one of his files from the pile on his desk.
"Absolutely. Thanks, Allen." Julian muttered, "And good luck."
Entering Jitters has never felt more awkward than it was to find Iris and Eddie sitting together waiting for the other couple. Barry knew Caitlin was running a little late. Jay stopped by her office and he had legitimate questions that needed answered. Barry never cursed him more than today.
"Hey, Caitlin is running a little late. But I'm going to get coffee for the both of us anyway." He rushed out heading straight for the line. He thanked the heavens there was already a few people in line so he could waste a little time until Caitlin arrived. His nerves were in a frantic state of motion.
A ding from the front indicated another customer. "Hey Barr. Sorry I'm late. Jay wouldn't stop talking so I promised him I'd answer all his questions after lunch." Caitlin said to him as she reached him, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"Oh, thank God you are here." Barry quickly turned to her encasing her in a hug, "I thought I was going to have a panic attack."
"Calm down, Barry. Stop being dramatic. It's just Iris and Eddie. We have faced vigilantes and won. You can handle a little conversation with an ex-girlfriend." Caitlin patted his checks, calmly taking his hand in her, interweaving their fingers.
"We can do this together, alright?" She murmured.
"Together." Barry murmured back. His body calmed and his kissed her forehead before turning to the barista and ordering their drinks.
Picking up their drinks they made their way towards Iris and Eddie. Caitlin purposefully sitting across from Eddie so Barry was forced to sit across from Iris.
"Iris, Eddie! How have you guys been?" Caitlin asked after taking a sip of her coffee.
"Good. Yeah, we've been good. Taking things one day at a time." Eddie rushed his response when silence filled the air after Caitlin's question.
Caitlin subtly kicked Barry under the table to get him to talk. "Ugh!" Looking at Caitlin in shock, "That's good to hear." Barry murmured.
A bit of awkward silence filled the area before Caitlin's quick thinking pulled Eddie away.
"Actually, Eddie could I borrow you for a moment? I need to pick your brain about a parking ticket I received the other day." Caitlin stood up.
"Uhh, sure." Eddie responded and promptly following Caitlin out the door. He turned around only to shrug his shoulders in confusion before continuing swiftly after the brunette.
Barry shook his head. Small smile on his face at his girlfriend's enthusiasm for him to talk to his ex-girlfriend.
"So, Caitlin got a parking ticket?" Iris asked trying to get Barry to talk to her.
"Caitlin has never gotten a parking ticket before in her life. And even if she did, I'm pretty sure all she would have to do was show it to Captain Singh and he would cancel it for her."
Iris hummed in amusement for a moment before sighing and getting down to business. "Barry, I'm really glad you decided to talk to me. I know I was rotten for going behind your back when we were together and I know how it feels to watch someone you love be in love with someone else."
"How could you possibly know that? Iris I was faithful to you." Barry tried to keep his rage under control while he talked to her, trying to see her side.
"Physically you were. But Barry, you've been in love with Caitlin since you were kids. She was always between us even when she was miles away in another city. I could never compete with that. And I shouldn't have had to."
"I-" Barry gulped trying to find words. He had never thought of it like that. He had never seen it from Iris' point of view. So many questions plagued Barry's mind with this new view. Had she always felt like she had to compete with Caitlin for his affections? Had he been so oblivious that he hadn't realized Iris had felt that way? Sure, he had promised himself he would always love Caitlin but they knew she had moved far from him for an indefinite amount of time. He agreed to let Caitlin go, date other people, fall in love and if they crossed paths again, maybe make something of it. "I never knew you felt that way."
"I didn't want to come off as jealous of someone that wasn't even really a part of your life at the time." Iris quietly said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear in shame.
Barry hesitated before placing his hand over hers on the table. "I understand. But Iris, I fell in love with you, despite my feelings for Caitlin, I chose you. I think that's why I was so angry when I discovered you and Eddie. I was still thinking you were mine, despite Caitlin being back."
"Yeah. You didn't realize that you were falling in love with her again?" Iris questioned.
"I never fell out of love with her. I think our feelings just got put on hold when she left and when I saw her again…"
"I understand. At least, I think I do. I used to see Eddie and think he was just some pretty-faced police officer. But then I saw him comforting a little girl that had just watched her father kill her mother and she was crying and Eddie just sat there with her talking to her and holding her. I saw him as a person and not just the comments you and Dad would make about him, a genuine person. He looked up and just smiled at me, friendly 'Hello' kind of smile and I was just gone. I know it was awful because I was with you but things just clicked between us." Iris told Barry honestly, her eyes smiling at the memory as she talked about Eddie.
Barry understood then what Iris had felt. He felt that same sensation when he met Caitlin. When he truly got to know her. When he fell in love with her. He knows that feeling well now. Every time he wakes up and she's wrapped in his arms. Every time she walks into the room and smiles at him. Every time she leans just a little closer to him just because she wanted to feel the warmth of his body against hers. It was love.
He couldn't be mad at Iris for falling in love with the love of her life, when he had already found his. She could have gone about things differently but in the end, she had not wanted to hurt Barry either because she cared about him. Had even loved him a one point. And that's all we want to do; is protect the ones we love from harm.
Barry gave Iris a genuine smile. "Iris, I forgive you."
Iris' startled expression rapidly changed to one brimming with happiness after seeing he was being serious. She quickly jumped out of her seat and rand to the other side of the table pulling Barry into the biggest hug she could muster. "Thank you!"
Sitting next to him and smiling felt like old time, back in high school when life was so much easier. "What changed? You were so mad at me before. I thought you would never be able to forgive me. What I did was so wrong, I wouldn't have forgiven me."
"You were telling me about how you just woke up one day and saw Eddie in a completely different light. I remember that exact feeling when my feeling for Caitlin changed from just being best friends to being head over heels in love with her. It's a difficult transition period but afterwards it's not really something you have much control over. I can't blame you for that." Barry explained.
Iris nodded, taking in each word Barry said. "So, do you think we can be friends again? Start fixing things between us?"
"I think we could start. It may take a while trying to get things back to a semi-normal routine between us but we can try. I think with their help," Barry indicated to the blonde-haired detective and the brunette bioengineer still talking outside Jitter's window. "we can get through this."
Iris gave him another smile, "I'm really glad you two are together now. You two really are perfect for each other."
"Yeah. We've been through our share of trouble already. And we are only four months into the relationship." Barry chuckled at the memory of Team Arrow.
"Every good couple does. Eddie and I always fight about my Dad whenever he is brought up." Iris commented with a depressed sigh.
"Yeah," Barry scratched his head awkwardly, "I heard about that actually. Do you want me to talk to Joe?"
"No, you don't have to. We can figure something out eventually."
"Should we tell them they can come back in?" Barry asked watching Caitlin and Eddie slowly shift from leg to leg, trying to pass the time with stories or comments about work.
"Probably."
"Caitlin's probably talking about work, which can get her pretty heated. She could go on for hour with the right topic." Barry pulled out his phone, sending a quick 'we are good' text to Caitlin. She appeared a few seconds later, Eddie in tow. A kind smile on her face she took her place next to Barry again after Iris had returned to her previous seat.
The two couples fell into a normal conversation. No more awkward silences or tension filled the air. The atmosphere was light and filled with laughter as they swapped stories about work or social life or extended family. The best part was when Caitlin's hand found his under the table.
Barry squeezed Caitlin's hand gaining her attention. He shot Caitlin a smile which she gladly returned before turning back to Iris giving her, her full attention about an article she was writing.
The next day Caitlin received two messages while she was processing some data at work.
'Thank you so much for everything Caitlin! I'm so glad about how things turned out yesterday! Need to plan a shopping trip as soon as possible! -Iris'
'You were right -Barry'
She smiled at her phone. She replied to Barry's message first.
'Always am! ;) -Caitlin'
She was ready to reply to Iris when someone knocked on her door. Setting her phone down, Caitlin shouted to come in. When no reply came, she stood up and headed towards the door. Opening the door, Caitlin peered into the hallway. Sitting in the middle of the hallway was a single rose with a picture clipped to the stem. Caitlin picked the rose up and read the message written on the back.
"1. Watching you with other men hurts me"
She quickly flipped the message around, she gasped taking in the photo.
A picture of her and Eddie outside Jitters, just taken yesterday. Her hands were still wrapped around his arm as she pulled him out of the coffee shop so Barry and Iris could talk. The smile on her face contrasted the eeriness of the fact that the photo was taken from across the street.
Was someone watching her? Caitlin quickly looked around but whoever placed the flower was gone. She was scared and her heart started racing.
Clutching the photo and the rose she took off down the hallway.
"Cisco!" She shouted before she even made it to his department. "Cisco!"
CRASH!
Caitlin went teetering on her heels as she ran straight into another body. Flinching she pushed away from them, almost falling.
"Snow? Are you alright?" Hartley asked catching her arm with his free hand so she would fall. His other hand filled with stacks of files.
"Hartley, where's Cisco?" She stuttered out, trying to gather her bearings.
"In his office. He asked not to be disturbed, even though he needs to sign these documents before Dr. Wells returns from his meeting in a few days." Hartley snipped.
"It's an emergency." Caitlin quickly replied, nearly pulling him back in the direction towards Cisco's workshop.
"Snow, what has gotten into you?" He questioned before following behind her.
"Cisco!" She shouted again, pounding on his door when she finally reached it.
"What?! Goodness people can't you read the 'Do NOT Disturb!' sign outsi– What happened?" Cisco asked immediately taking Caitlin into his arms while pulling her into his workshop, Hartley following behind, "Hartley! What did you do?"
"Me! What makes you think I had anything to do with this!" Hartley screeched.
"No! Cisco. I think someone is following me." Caitlin rushed out before trusting the photo into his hand.
Her grip on the rose tightened and she didn't even notice until Hartley commented on the blood.
"Caitlin! Your hand!" He tossed the files he had onto the table and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket. She dropped the rose sending it to the floor. It wasn't a lot of blood but a cut was forming.
"Cisco, call Barry." Caitlin told him making her way over to his sick washing the cut out.
"You mean you haven't told him yet?" Cisco asked dialing his number.
"I left my phone in my office and I felt unsettled, so I came straight here." Caitlin responded wrapping her hand back up before reaching for the phone.
"I can swing by your office and pick it up." Hartley offered.
"That would be great. Thanks Hartley." He nodded at her before heading out the door, files long forgotten.
"Hey, you've reached Barry. I can't make it to the phone right now leave a message and I'll get back to you."
"Ugh! He must be in a meeting with Singh." Caitlin grumbled as she got his voicemail.
"Barry, It's Cait. Call me as soon as you get this." Caitlin replied into the phone before hanging up.
"Who could have done this?" Caitlin asked trying to remember if she saw anyone she knew out on the streets yesterday.
"Umm Jay?" Cisco stated more than asked.
"He is away on a business trip with Dr. Wells. He won't be back for a few days."
"What if he came back early?"
"We would have known. Dr. Wells has been keeping us updated on progress with Mercury Labs. He would have told us." Caitlin responded.
"Don't worry, Caitlin. We will figure this out." Cisco tried to reassure her.
Caitlin just wanted Barry to call her back. To be with him. In his arms, she always felt safest. And now she felt like someone was always watching her. She felt violated and disturbed that someone would do this. But first she had to tell Barry.
A/N: I'm still open for doing a bit of filler chapters for Barry and Caitlin if anyone has some ideas review or send me a PM.
I promised I would never abandon this story and I mean it. Updates will just be sporadic, but hopefully more frequent.
Until next time!