The One with The Lost Little Girl


With no metahumans running around Central City that time, it's been a slow day at the lab. So Barry and Caitlin, being newly-engaged, decided to have lunch on their usual spot at the park. Only to find out that somebody has already beat them to it.

"Hey there, sweetie. Why are you crying? Are you lost?" Caitlin asked as they found a young girl, maybe around five, sitting on their usual bench. When she gave no answer, Barry thought it was his turn to ask.

"Hey, it's okay. Are you alone or someone's here with you?" He crouched down in front of the young girl with Caitlin sitting beside her on the bench. They waited for a moment until she decided to say, "My mommy told me I shouldn't talk to strangers."

They both shared an amused look, until a smile spread across Caitlin's features. "It's okay sweetheart, my name is Caitlin and this is Barry. You can tell us yours so we won't be strangers with each other anymore. Sounds good?" With that, the young girl has stopped crying and slowly nodded her head. Barry found it amazing how Caitlin can be this good with kids.

"Okay. My name is Veronica Grace Fitzgerald but my mom calls me Nikki for short."

"It's nice to meet you, Nikki. But can you tell us what were you doing in the park alone?" Barry asked which only made a new batch of tears to form in Nikki's eyes.

"Look at what you've done Barry." Caitlin said, glaring at him.

"What?" He innocently shrugged.

"Hey Nikki, it's fine. You don't need to tell us if you don't want to." She said as she put her hand on the girl's back, soothing her.

"It's okay. My mom didn't know that I went here alone. We used to spend our weekends here until daddy left us. After that, mommy seldom takes me here so I decided to just go alone."

"You shouldn't have done that sweetheart. Your mom must be worried sick."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Do you know your way home? Cait and I can take you if you want."

"Really? That's so nice of you Mr. Barry. Ms. Caitlin is such a lucky girl." Her statement made them laugh. She's like an elderly woman trapped inside a young girl's body.

"No problem. And please it's just Barry and Caitlin. We're friends after all, right Nikki?"

"Yup!"

"But before we go I think we need to get some food first. I thought I heard someone's stomach grumbling a while ago." Caitlin said winking at Barry.

"Yeah. Nikki here must be really hungry." He said as he took Nikki from the bench and carried her to the food stalls.

They decided to buy sandwiches at their favorite stall.

"If it isn't my favorite customers." The elderly man said and he noticed they weren't alone this time. "And who's this young lady? I never knew you two had a kid already."

"Oh no, she's just-" But before Caitlin could finish her sentence, the old man already asked for their orders.

"So the usual?"

"Yeah and a kiddie meal for Nikki here." Barry replied as he handed the cash to the man.

While eating, Barry decided to make Nikkie feel more comfortable so he asked, "So Nikki, what's your favorite color?"

"Orange. Like the sunset." She replied while chewing her food.

"I don't think that's appropriate, young lady. You shouldn't talk while you're mouth is full." Caitlin said, slightly reprimanding the young girl.

"I'm sorry. I promise I won't do that again."

"Now that's a good girl." She said then kissed Nikki's forehead much to the girl's delight. "And do you know what good girls like you get as a reward?"

"Ice cream?"

"You read my mind. As soon as you finish your food we'll get ice cream." The little girl squealed and gave Caitlin a hug which she returned happily.

Something about that exchange made Barry's heart swell. He could clearly picture out that scene again in the years to come, only with a girl who has his eyes and Caitlin's smile.

As they went off to get Nikki's ice cream, her mother arrived, frantically looking for her child.

"Nikki? Thank goodness you're here. I've been looking everywhere for you." A middle-aged woman with reddish brown hair came running to her daughter.

"Mommy! I'm sorry I didn't mean to go here alone. I promise I won't do it again." Nikki said as she hugged her mom tightly.

"It's okay sweetie. Are you okay? Did anything happen to you?"

"No. Barry and Caitlin looked after me. They're really kind." She said pointing to Barry and Caitlin behind her.

"Thank you so much for looking after my child. I don't know how to repay you."

"Oh it's okay. There's nothing to worry about. You're wonderful daughter didn't give us much trouble." Caitlin said, giving Nikki a warm smile.

"Thanks again but we need to go now. Nikki say goodbye to them."

"Bye Barry!" She said then gave Barry a hug. "Bye Caitlin! Thank you for the ice cream." She kissed her cheek first before proceeding to give her a hug.

"No problem. I promise we'll get one if we ever see each other again."

As they watch Nikki walk away with her mother, Caitlin couldn't help the smile dancing across her face ever since they found her at the bench. On the other hand, Barry couldn't hide the excitement he's feeling knowing that someday they'll have their moment too.

"Cait, I think I want that too."

"Barry you're a grown man you can get one yourself."

"I don't think you understand Cait-"

"The ice cream stall is just meters away what's so-oh." The look he gave her made her realize what he was talking about.

"Right. Oh. I may have super speed but I don't think I can propagate on my own Cait." He chuckled which earned him a smack on the arm.

"Yeah? Well, you don't need to joke about it you know."

"Fine. But seriously Cait, I want our own version of Nikki. Or maybe even a male version of her."

"I'd like that too. But we'll have to wait until after the wedding. I don't want our first child to be illegitimate okay."

"Neither do I. But that doesn't mean we can't practice how to make one-"

"Barry! You are impossible." She said, shaking her head.

"I love you too, Cait." He replied, drawing her closer to his as they walked back to S.T.A.R. Labs hand in hand.


AN: I always appreciate your reviews. Thank you! Feel free to leave requests if you have any.

-A