Caitlin looked out of her ceiling to floor window of her LA apartment, sipping her coffee at a leisurely pace. She had come in from a late night of filming and, knowing that she had to be back on set in two hours, opted to just drink coffee until they finished shooting the final scene of them film. Then she could sleep. Taking another sip of the warm beverage, Caitlin walked over to where her television was mounted on the wall and turned it on, flipping to her favorite news station and letting it play as background noise. Somewhere along the way, she heard her name creep into the segment and turned the volume up.
"…And lastly, actress Caitlin Snow, most notably famous for her portrayal in "The Widow in the Window", has just signed onto the project, "Before the Lies Become Compulsory". Caitlin Snow, while one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses seems to keep a tight lid on her private life. We don't know if she is currently with Ronnie Raymond, Hollywood's most wanted actor, but the two certainly did look cozy at the MTV awards…"
Caitlin rolled her eyes, sighing to herself. Seriously? The news anchor had nothing better to report than about her time at the MTV awards with her friend? To be fair, Ronnie and she had tried their hand at dating but quickly found they operated better as friends. Add into the mix that he was in love with his high school sweetheart, and there really wasn't much left to say about the matter. Shaking her head at the antics of it all, she finished the last dregs of her coffee before cleaning her cup out in the sink.
She chanced a glance at her clock above her stove and realized she had about an hour and a half until she had to be at set. Knowing how the traffic in the city was, even in the early hours of the morning, Caitlin hurried to get ready. She slid into a pair of black skinny jeans, adding a white shirt and soft black sweater. Adding a light layer of makeup and her converse, Caitlin grabbed her keys and purse out of their respective holders and left her apartment. Once downstairs, she spotted Andrew, her driver, waiting for her with a latte in his hand.
"Morning, Ms. Snow," Andrew greeted her, smile adorning his face. She took the latte with a smile of gratitude, taking an eager sip.
"Good morning, Andrew," she replied. She slid into the back of the car, locking eyes with Felicity Smoak, her publicist.
"Good morning, Licity," Caitlin said, and the blonde smiled.
"Morning, Snow," she replied. "We're set for the final scene of the day, and then you've got meet and greets with your fans before the show tonight."
Caitlin nodded. She absolutely adored her fans, knowing she wouldn't be half the person she was today without them.
"What time is the show?" Caitlin wondered, taking another sip of her latte. Felicity consulted her notes.
"You're on the Late Show so we need to be there around seven," came the reply, and Caitlin bobbed her head. This wasn't the first time she'd be on that show. As Andrew pulled away from the curb and into the steady stream of traffic, Caitlin looked at the itinerary Felicity placed into her hands.
"I have lunch with Ronnie today?" Caitlin asked in surprise, and Felicity looked at her.
"Just for publicity," she replied a little too casually.
"Licity," Caitlin groaned. "I told you I'm not interested him and he's not interested in me. In fact, he's into his high school sweetheart, something you know because you were there when he told me."
"Think of how good it'll look for the both of you," Felicity tried to be persuasive but Caitlin wasn't happy. She sighed grumpily, leaning back into the seat and folding her arms.
"Fine, I'll go, but I won't stop from saying I told you so when our "breakup" is very public," she said petulantly, and Felicity rolled her eyes.
"That's the spirit I'm looking for, kid," she muttered.
The two women fell silent, and Caitlin had ample opportunity to think about the final scene they'd be filming today. It was the scene where she had to watch the actress who was playing her mother in the film succumb to her terminal illness. Caitlin knew the director was expecting the heavy acting today but she also knew, if focused, she could bring so much more than tears to the scene. She was excited to see how far she could put herself into the final scene, having already done a fair bit of intense acting for the film in general.
"You know, Caitlin, with the way your acting has been for this film, I wouldn't be surprised if you were nominated by the time award season rolls around," Felicity said conversationally. Caitlin, while flushing with pride, didn't want to get too hopeful just yet.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Licity. There are far better actresses out there than me," she reminded her, and Felicity just let out an audible sigh.
"How many times do I have to tell you how good you are?" Felicity demanded.
"Until it sinks in, I suppose," Caitlin shrugged and grinned. Felicity rolled her eyes and Caitlin settled herself in for the remainder of the drive to the set.
XXX
When they reached the set with fifteen minutes to spare, Caitlin was whisked away upon immediate arrival, Felicity following behind her wordlessly. The makeup team sat Caitlin down in the chair, wiped off her makeup she had put on, (honestly, she still didn't understand why she bothered to do her own makeup sometimes when she knew it was going to get removed), and began applying a new layer.
Mark, the hairstylist, began to straighten her hair as he engaged her in light conversation.
"Ready for the final shoot today, Caitlin?" Mark asked, and she hummed, eyes closed as the makeup artist painted a nude eyeshadow over her eyelids.
"Yes," she said. "I'm just hoping to be able to do the job in only a couple of takes."
"Given the way you've worked this entire filming process, I don't think that'll be too hard to accomplish," Mark encouraged her, and Caitlin smiled.
"Thanks, Mark," she replied.
"Ah, Caity, don't smile," Miranda, her lead makeup artist, said.
"Sorry, Mir," she said, going back to pursing her lips as Miranda applied a coat of light lip gloss.
Eventually, her team's work was done and Caitlin was called to set. After two hours of filming the final scene, the director called cut, and Caitlin felt like she could breathe a bit easier. This movie had drained a lot of her energy, something she'd never tell anyone. She wiped at her face mutely, catching the tears that she had shed in order to be as authentic as possible with the scene, before looking at the director who was making her way over.
"Outstanding work, Caitlin," Cecelia said, grinning at her.
"Thanks," Caitlin grinned back.
"Honestly, probably your best yet and you still have that other movie to film in a handful of weeks," Cecelia continued, and Caitlin ducked her head bashfully.
"Well, as you say, you get what you put in," Caitlin murmured, and Cecelia nodded her head.
"And, you put one hell of a performance in," she agreed.
"I had a great director," Caitlin admitted, but Cecelia shrugged.
"It was all you, kid. I just gave you the material and you ran with it," she replied. Caitlin, not one to feel comfortable with compliments, just grinned embarrassedly, before being dismissed to go get changed back into her normal clothes. She sighed happily as she made her way to her trailer and began to change. After she had changed back into the outfit she originally arrived in, there was a knock at her door.
"It's open," Caitlin called, and a moment later Felicity poked her head in.
"Hey, great job with the tears, Snow," Felicity congratulated her as she stepped into the trailer.
"Thanks," Caitlin grinned. She went over to her espresso machine and made herself a double shot.
"We have a few minutes before your bodyguard gets here," Felicity mentioned, and Caitlin groaned.
"Felicity, I told you I didn't want a bodyguard," she muttered.
"And, I told you: you're getting to the point where you need one. Your fame is bigger than you are," Felicity said simply. "I will not have something happen to you by a crazed fan. Not on my watch."
Caitlin knew it was basically hopeless to try and convince her publicist otherwise, so just sighed and folded her arms across her chest.
"Fine," she muttered. There wasn't much more to say before Felicity's phone chimed. Looking at it expectantly, a grin stretched itself across her lips.
"Ah, he's here. Right on time. Let's go," she instructed. Sighing, Caitlin snagged her coffee off the counter and followed Felicity outside of her trailer. There was a man with his back facing her, taking in the scene before him. All she could tell about him was that he was tall, muscular, and had brown hair. She was nothing if not polite, so she painted a smile on her face as Felicity addressed him.
"Barry Allen?" Felicity asked, and the man turned. Caitlin's heart stopped immediately, then picked up harshly, pulsing against her ribcage. This man was so much more better looking than she could have dreamed possible. Trying to rearrange her facial expression into one of polite ease, she held her hand out to him.
"Hello, Mr. Allen. I'm Caitlin Snow," she introduced herself. He glanced down at her hand, stoic expression firmly in place, before nodding.
"Barry," he said gruffly, and Caitlin, once realizing he wasn't going to shake her hand, let it fall back to her side awkwardly.
"Barry," she said, uncomfortably aware that he was staring at her. "Uhm, I just wanted to say thanks for agreeing to do this. You didn't have to."
"I'm getting paid," he shrugged, and Caitlin nodded. No niceties from him, then.
Felicity cleared her throat. "Well, Barry. Here's what we're looking at for the rest of the day: Caitlin has a lunch with an old friend that I need you to attend."
"Felicity, does he really have to be there when I grab lunch with Ronnie?" Caitlin protested the crazy notion but Felicity just shot her a less than impressed look.
"Yes," she said simply. "Anyways, after that, it's meet and greets with some fans, and then a talk show tonight. I need you at all of the events."
Barry nodded.
"I also already set you up in the apartment across from her, should she need anything," Felicity continued, and Caitlin sighed.
"Licity, it's not like I have a stalker, or anyone who is threatening me. He doesn't need to live in my complex for heaven's sake," she said.
Barry looked at her. "All due respect, Ms. Snow, but it's easier this way. I was hired to be a full-time bodyguard, not a part time one. I take my job very seriously."
She stared at him for a long moment, before admitting defeat and hunching her shoulders inwards.
"Fine," she muttered, picking at her nails.
Felicity and Barry continued to talk for several more minutes and Caitlin tuned them out. She was beginning to think longingly of her yoga mat and a quick session before Felicity's voice brought her back to the present moment.
"Well, I think that's all of importance," she said, and Caitlin looked at her. "I've got to get back to the office but Barry will ride with you and Andrew back to your apartment. You've got four hours before lunch, so try and get a nap in before then, alright?"
Caitlin nodded. "I will."
"Alright then. Have a good morning, and I'll see you for the meet and greet later this afternoon," Felicity said, and Caitlin bobbed her head. Felicity was gone in the next moment, and Caitlin looked at Barry.
"May as well get going," she said conversationally, hoping to get him to smile, but nothing. Sighing, she knew this was going to be a long experience for her, one that left her feeling an ache between her shoulders. Perfect.
Author's note: Helllloooooooo Snowbarry shippers. I am back. I have a new story that I am very excited about. Don't worry, this isn't going to be one where Caitlin needs saving cause she's a boss who can save herself. This will explore the relationship between an actress in the limelight and her bodyguard. I hope you give it a chance and leave reviews as you see fit. I might share my tumblr if you have any questions. Love you to all. Xxx