Barry was, putting it mildly, having a bad day.
Doctor Wells was meeting one of his college roommates and research partners, Lex Luthor, for a steak and a few drinks at an exceptionally expensive restaurant downtown. Despite Barry's insistence that he remain in immediate proximity to the building in case a glory-seeking meta-human took the opportunity to try and kill two of the most prominent scientists on the planet, Doctor Wells assured Barry that Luthor's security team had dealt with their own fair share of meta-humans and any worries could be easily dismissed. It turned out Doctor Wells assumed incorrectly, however, as former LexCorp employee Daniel Martyn incapacitated Luthor's private security and nearly killed Lex and Doctor Wells. The impetus for Martyn's attack was his belief that Luthor had stolen his research about enhancing human reflexes, made a deal with the United States Army Scientific Research Division, and received all the credit for its creation. When Martyn brought his grievance to his lawyer and the Daily Planet, Luthor swiftly destroyed Martyn's claims by bringing forth a patent dated weeks before Martyn claimed he had even completed the research. Jobless and humiliated, Martyn broke into his former LexCorp office and managed to inject himself with a vile of his own research before being arrested by the police. Unbeknownst to the prosecutor and LexCorp, Martyn gained superhuman reflexes for his efforts and a lighter sentence than would be necessary to contain him because that small detail slipped past the medical examiner. Martyn's reaction times were quicker than most people's ability to process thoughts, allowing him to escape jail rather quickly. While Barry was confident that he could easily incapacitate Martyn with minimal effort despite his newfound abilities, Martyn proved a far deadlier foe when he managed to use his reflexes and fighting abilities to send Barry flying. No matter how quick Barry thought he was, Martyn always seemed to have the jump on him as soon as he got in close. It was only when Joe and Eddie thankfully arrived after being alerted by Doctor Wells that Martyn fled the scene by leaping out of a window and, somehow, escaping to safety. Despite the fact that Luthor and Doctor Wells escaped unharmed and Barry received only minor injuries, Barry was quite displeased with his inability to protect the two when they found themselves endangered by a meta-human criminal. He had embarrassed himself in front of Lex, Eddie, Doctor Wells, and Joe. Not only that, but he, a superhero dedicated to protecting the weak and helpless, needed assistance. Caitlin found him in one of STAR Labs' many long abandoned wings, sulking in a chair, hand firmly pressed against face in shame.
The unfortunate reality was that there was nothing Caitlin could really do to help Barry as she was only certified in the area of physical health. Her knowledge didn't extend to the emotional and mental well being of her patients, although she did take Intro to Psychology in freshman year of college. (And got an A in it, mind you) While she lacked any substantive training in the realm of internal maintenance, she was determined to help Barry in any way possible. Throughout her life, through the good and the bad, even when hope seemed like but a distant and fantastic fantasy, there was always one thing which helped to relieve the sting of even the deadliest wounds.
"Barry." She calmly inched her way towards him as he hadn't noticed her entrance. He looked up at her.
"Oh, hey, Caitlin," He acted as if someone had informed him that his beloved puppy had fled to parts unknown. "If you're wondering, Lex and Doctor Wells are fine. They both said this wasn't the first time a meta-human threatened to kill them, so they were just going to reschedule their little get-together." He pressed his index finger to his temple and occasionally shifted his chair's position.
Caitlin pressed her hands together and played around with her fingers in a futile attempt to encourage her to go through with this horrible idea. "I know. I'm not here about them. I'm here about you." Barry ceased shifting his chair, looked directly at her, and cocked an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because, as your physician, it is my obligation to help you feel better."
Barry smiled. Progress! "I appreciate the thought, Caitlin, but I don't think these wounds are of your particular specialty. Besides, I feel fine." Well, it was at least minor progress.
"That's where you're wrong. I've been saving this because I know this is the one, sure-fire thing that will make you, well, you. I know you're at your best "Saving the whole world"-self when you are of optimal emotional and mental performance. This is a remedy that has been in my family for generations and has helped me through every single bad thing that has ever occurred in my existence." Her choice of words made her sound like a robot, but she continued on hopeful that Barry wouldn't mind her tripping over her own words. He was used to that.
Now he gave a small chuckle. Perhaps Caitlin could pursue another doctorate in Psychology once this whole "Team Flash saving the world" job got too dull. "And what is this legendary remedy, Doctor Snow?"
Now was the moment of truth. Caitlin's entire being, driven purely by her nerves, had to act in perfect synchronization with her rapid fire mind to form a coherent sentence, because this was putting it all on the line.
"We're going to hug."
Caitlin could feel a surge of heat rise to her face as the words spilled out of her. Barry had arched his back. "Uh, I don't think that's really suc-"
"I knew you were going to say something like that, but I insist. It's the universal medicine and I refuse to accept no. I took a Hippocratic Oath to help you. It would be immoral for us not to hug." She said matter-of-factly as a layer of perspiration rapidly developed on her hands.
Barry swallowed and cleared his throat. He remained in his chair and rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay. If you're so insistent, then yes, we will hug."
"I need you to stand up first."
In an attempt to relax himself and mollify Caitlin's energy, Barry gave a light quip. "Okay there, Doctor Bossy-Pants," He stood at attention. "Do you want me to-"
Spurred forth by her rapidly mounting anxiety and fear of saying something embarrassing, Caitlin charged forth, wrapped her arms around Barry's body, and pressed herself right up against him. He responded by lightly placing his head on her shoulder and gently holding his hands next to her as if she was made of glass.
Caitlin found it, surprisingly enough, far more enjoyable than she had initially anticipated. She primarily looked at it from an objective, scientific perspective, as it was solely aimed at Barry's well being, but she figured her own personal enjoyment would be an acceptable figure to exam once everything concluded.
It really was enjoyable, though. The lab, or, more likely, Barry smelled rather nice and the heater, or, more likely, Barry, was exceptionally warm. Caitlin felt content, as if all the problems and worries of the world melted away and all that was left was this curiously pleasant sensation in her stomach. There was also the subject of Barry's body. It was…also rather nice, Caitlin conceded.
"From a purely scientific standpoint, obviously." She mentally noted. Having her head on his chest was quite pleasant. Would Barry object to her placing her hand on his stomach if he knew it was in the name of furthering the scientific metho-
"Uh, Caitlin."
"Mmm?" She looked up at his crimson face.
"I think I feel better."
It was only at that point that she realized she must've lost track of time and held on to Barry for far longer than research necessitated. "Oh," She released him from her iron grip and held her hands behind her back, unable to meet his eyes. "Well," Her own eyes darted about, looking for something to coil on to in order to avoid having to communicate her embarrassment to Barry. "I, erm, hope that improved your condition."
"I, uh, think so." He paused. "No, I definitely feel much, much better. Thank you," He gave her a small, shy smile. "B-uh, but I think you should check on Doctor Wells. He's probably still shaken up from tonight's fight. I'm gonna see if Cisco has any more info on our meta-human's location." Barry was proud of himself for forming a cogent sentence.
"That sounds like a great idea." Caitlin's nervous energy, having overridden her other functions, compelled her to exit the office as quickly as her body could take her.
"Well," Barry thought to himself following Caitlin's' departure. "That was…something that just happened."
Considering everything, Barry concluded that today was a pretty good day. A few things could've gone a bit better, but overall? Pretty damn good day. The good far, far outweighed the bad. He noted his flaring cheeks and inability to suppress his massive grin. Perhaps it would be pertinent to take a few minutes to lose this giddy schoolboy high before engaging Cisco or Doctor Wells in conversation.