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AN:

So this was supposed to be a one-shot but I got hit by inspiration so it is now a three-shot and will continue over next two days. Hope you like!

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Caitlin lifted her hair with her wrist and tried to make the end loop and clasp of her necklace meet before her hair came tumbling down again. The chain was delicate and thin and her recently curled hair was cascading around her every time she almost had it, making her lose her grip. She let out a frustrated sound before two hands skirted over hers.

"Need some help?"

She smiled as she looked at Barry through the mirror she was standing in front of. "Yes please."

His fingers wrapped around hers and took the necklace ends from her. Caitlin lifted her hair properly and titled her head slightly so Barry could see the necklace. He quickly caught the loop and catch together, securing it. Then he ran his hands down over her neck.

"Barry…" Caitlin said warningly, even as she shivered and leant back into him.

"What?" he whispered as he moved forwards, catching her hair to one side and started pressing kisses down her neck.

"You know what."

"I know your skin is so soft," he whispered, his lips pressing into it. "And I want to touch it, all the time."

Caitlin sighed as his lips sucked gently at a particular spot that sent tingles all down her arms and back. He was too good at this and hr resolve was already weak…. But-

"We can have all the time you want," she murmured after the party.

Barry groaned and looked up to meet her eyes through the mirror. "Why aren't we going together?"

"Because you haven't had a chance to talk to Joe and Iris," Caitlin said with a soft smile. "And they both are very important to you, even Iris still. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with any part of us and you would be if we were just together in front of everyone without having talked to them first."

"It doesn't matter what Iris-"

"It does," Caitlin interrupted gently. "A part of you will always love her, even if you're not in love with her and that's okay Barry. And even if that wasn't true, she's Joe's daughter and a part of you worries about what he might think, even though he's pretty much as much your dad as hers."

"I love that you get that," Barry smiled back at her. "Thank you for understanding that."

"We'll get through tonight as friends," she said lacing their hands together. "And you'll talk to Joe and Iris in the next few days and then-"

"And then it's all about us."

Caitlin couldn't help the warm feeling deep in her belly and the smile it caused to bema on her face at the look of sincerity and passion in Barry's eyes as he said those words. She'd waited for him so long, now that she knew he was hers she didn't mind a few more hours.

"So at the party we're Barry and Caitlin, friends and teammates," Barry said. "We just act normal and do whatever everyone else is doing. But what are you doing after the party?"

"I guess that depends," Caitlin said as she turned around and ran her hands up Barry's shirt-clad chest, loving the way she could feel his slender but toned muscles jump under her touch. "If someone were to offer me a ride home…. And that someone wanted to come in for a nightcap…."

"I think I like where this is going…"

Caitlin grinned and even though she'd been about to tell him off for it earlier she couldn't help but wrap her arms around Barry's shoulders and kiss him deeply. A part of her still rejoiced that she could do this now, that he was hers to kiss. A much bigger part thrilled at the way he responded, clutching at her quickly and always extending the kiss, like he too couldn't quite believe it and wanted to make the most of it, always.

"We need to go," she muttered breathlessly against his lips a few minutes later.

"Don't want to," he muttered, before catching her tongue with his, a hand lifting up to wrap itself in her hair and angle her head more.

Caitlin let herself sink into the embrace and forgot about time. It was so difficult to think of the next few hours when she was with Barry right now in the moment.

"The sooner we get there the sooner it will be over," she managed to pant a few minutes later.

Barry groaned again but stepped back away from her.

Caitlin knew her make-up must be mussed and her hair would need a quick re-style but it was worth it to see the dazed look in his eyes. His hair too would need a comb and she lifted her hand to do just that but Barry stepped quickly away.

"If you touch me again we're not going anywhere," he said. "I'll see you at Star Labs?"

"I'll be set off as soon as I've re-touched my lipstick," she replied. "See you there."

Barry's hand streaked out and grabbed hers, interlacing their fingers and giving them a quick squeeze before there was a blast of wind and he was gone.

Caitlin turned back to the mirror and grabbed her brush, quickly stroking down some of her hair whilst lifting some up to reinforce her curls. She and Barry were arriving separately and would spend the New Year's Day party with all their friends and teammates as just that themselves. Since Christmas they had spent so much time together, cementing the foundation of their relationship. Now the next stage was to let everyone know and start being together around them all.

But she knew that Barry needed to settle himself with Joe and Iris first.

The last few days had been wonderful and Caitlin couldn't wait for everyone to know and for her and Barry to start their relationship properly. But it had to be done right and she was willing to give themselves the time they need to do that, or rather Barry the time to do that. He needed it done, needed to be able to say it to Joe and Iris, no misunderstandings, no catching-outs. She was happy to wait.

She'd waited all this time and look at what she'd got in the end. Barry.

Even though they were only friends tonight, it would hardly be a hardship to be with him at a party. After all, they had spent last night together, with Barry kissing in the New Year as the clock struck midnight and promising her this year would be all about them.

Grabbing her coat and purse Caitlin headed out, the still-there-feeling of Barry's lips on hers surrounding her in warmth.

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Cisco closed his eyes and tried to see the vibe again. It had been so clear just a few days ago but the shock of what he'd seen had jolted him out of taking notice of any details. Now he needed it, he couldn't get the vision to focus.

But he felt in his gut that it was tonight.

And if it wasn't, maybe it was about time to push it along. Oh, Barry and Caitlin had better watch out…

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