Caitlin wiped down the bar top that had gotten dirty over the past half hour as men shouted obnoxiously. As far as jobs went, it wasn't the ideal one but it paid the bills and she was often left in control of managing the crowd they drew in night after night. She had just topped off a guy's beer when she heard someone sit down in front of her. Not looking up, she addressed them.
"What can I get you?"
"My best friend," came the reply and Caitlin froze. She knew that voice anywhere, despite how often she tried to block it out of her mind. Exhaling slowly, she looked up to spot Cisco staring at her.
"How'd you find me?" Caitlin asked lowly and he shrugged.
"Not hard when you're not exactly looking to stay hidden," he replied. "I'll take a shot of tequila."
She nodded her head and busied herself with pouring his shot for a moment before sliding it to him. He knocked it back in a smooth motion and tapped the glass on the bar, signaling for another. She poured it again.
"Look, Cisco, what are you doing here?" Caitlin asked bluntly, not having the energy to try and figure out what he wanted. She was tired and thinking longingly of a hot shower and cup of tea.
"I want to know why you've been ignoring me, Cait," he said simply.
"Don't call me that," she replied.
"It's your name," he reiterated and she shook her head.
"I haven't been 'Cait' in a long time. Just…leave it at Caitlin, okay?" Caitlin asked and he stared at her for a long moment before swallowing his second shot and nodding his head.
"Can you spare a few minutes?" Cisco asked and she bit her lip as she looked around at the men.
"A few," she muttered as she poured herself a whiskey and diet coke and leaned onto the bar. She took a sip of her drink, relishing in the way the liquid cooled her throat. She looked at Cisco.
"So, what can I do for you?" Caitlin asked.
"I want to know why you haven't been returning any of my calls. I call at least five times a day, probably six," he stated and she laughed dryly.
"Ever think that maybe I don't want to have a general catch up?" Caitlin crooked her eyebrow at him but he shook his head.
"You're hiding, Caitlin Snow. Ever since you saved me from Savitar and left, you've been in hiding," Cisco accused her and she shrugged a shoulder.
"And if I have? It's not like I owe you any explanation; we haven't been friends in a long time," she murmured. She took another sip of her drink and avoided eye contact. In theory, it was easy to act like she didn't miss him but …. she missed everyone from team Flash.
"Barry's back," Cisco brought up randomly and she looked at him.
"From the speed force," he hastened to add and she nodded her head, not really understanding why he had to go there but knew if he was back, he must've been alright.
"Good," she said quietly. She finished her drink before sighing.
"As fun as this has been, I have customers to tend to; your drinks are on the house," she muttered as she pulled her elbows off the bar but Cisco was already laying down a twenty.
"Keep the change," he said as he stood up. He stared at her for a long moment.
"Don't be a stranger anymore, alright?" Cisco asked quietly and she blinked. That wasn't something she could promise and he seemed to acknowledge that because he nodded his head and turned around, before striding out of the bar. She watched him all the way until the door shut.
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When she finally had called a cab for the last customer and they left, Caitlin sighed with relief. It had been a long day and she was tired. She was always so damned tired but she refused to give into any weaknesses. She had done that enough when she let Killer Frost control her. Now that she had control of her powers, she refused to be held down by anything else. Sighing, she began counting the change drawer and splitting the tips in half. She was half way through with counting out shares when she heard the door open. Dammit, she must've forgotten to lock it.
"We're closed," she called without looking up.
"Even when it's an old friend?" Barry asked and she looked up at him in surprise.
"Well, well, look at what the cat dragged in," she said dryly.
"Well, well, look at where the elusive Caitlin Snow has been hiding. Right under our very nose," Barry said and she sighed.
"Want a drink?" Caitlin asked after a moment.
"Beer is good," came the reply. She pulled out a bottle from underneath the shelf and handed it to him. She went back to counting shares while he sipped his drink. She could feel his eyes on her but was in no rush to have any more catch ups, so just silently counted the money.
"Nice place," Barry commented and Caitlin snorted. It wasn't a dump, but it wasn't a high scale club either; not like Verdant. It was just…home.
"Thanks," she muttered as she paper clipped the money and put it in an envelope. She massaged her forehead and looked at him briefly. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something.
"What are you doing here? Did Cisco send you?" Caitlin asked finally and he chuckled.
"I came because I wanted to see you," he replied and she rolled her eyes. What was it with previous guys in her life and wanting to see her. She sighed as she cracked open a beer and took a long sip.
"Well, you've seen me. Now finish your beer so I can lock up and go home," she said.
"Caitlin, what are you doing here?" Barry demanded and wow, did he ease into that question or what.
"I work here," she snapped, having no time to listen to him try and convince her to join the team she left. He sighed.
"You don't belong here, you belong with us," he said softly and she massaged her forehead again.
"I don't have a home with you guys anymore. I burned all those bridges," she said lowly. Oh, how on her best day she wished that wasn't true and on her worst day, well, she didn't like those days.
He placed his hand over hers' but she slid hers' away, not wanting to be babied. Barry sighed.
"Cait," he began.
"Caitlin," she interrupted.
"Cait, listen to me: you have a home with us, you've always have. Just because we weren't on the same side last year doesn't mean I care about you any less. Look at what you did for Cisco. You saved him," Barry said softly and Caitlin felt a lump rise painfully in her throat. She took another sip of her drink to avoid partaking in the conversation. Barry continued.
"We love and miss you. Flash isn't the same without everyone there," he murmured.
"You're with Iris, I doubt you even notice team Flash," she mumbled but to her surprise, Barry chuckled.
"Iris…well, long story short, we're not the same people that we were before I went into the speed force," he murmured. She looked at him but didn't ask any questions, nor did he provide any explanations.
"Please come home," he asked quietly.
She sighed. "I'll think about it."
He smiled. "Good enough for me." He drained the last of his drink before standing up.
"Hopefully I'll be seeing you, Cait," he murmured before heading out. Despite how she initially felt when she saw him, some of the ache seemed to lessen inside of her chest and she smiled. He just might see her around.
Fin.
Author's note: This one shot is based off the picture Danielle put on her Instagram. I have no clue what it means but I got an idea and ran with it. Hope you like it. XOXO
