Going Home
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Author: kpolk817
Twitter: kpolk817
Summary: Barry learned that time travel is possible – what happens the first time he gives it a try?
Big Shout out to Caitlin51 on for beta reading my first story! It has to be painful lol Go check out her page and read her work! It's amazing!
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Chapter Three
" You know I'm... well, let's just say I can be very guarded at times, right?" Caitlin looks down as she runs her finger along the top of her coffee cup.
" Yeah you have been that way pretty much since I met you, but there are times when I see those walls come down, if only for a little while." Barry said with a smile.
"All things considering though, I don't think anyone can blame you, not with everything that's happened. I mean you lost the person you loved the night of the accident, you had to make yourself move on without him in your life. That itself is not easy for anyone to do, Caitlin. Then once you seem to have picked up the pieces you found Ronnie again only for it to not really be Ronnie but Dr. Stein sharing Ronnie's body. It sounds like something out of a comic book." Barry said, trying to comfort her.
"Look I might be the fastest man alive, but you are Caitlin Snow, you are the strongest person I know, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart."
Upon hearing his words Caitlin couldn't help but give him a thankful smile.
"Speaking of Ronnie, how is that working out? I know you're excited to have him back now so no offense, but why are you sitting here with me at Jitters when you just got him back? Is something wrong?
"Well that's why I wanted to talk to you , see since Ronnie and Dr. Stein split Ronnie doesn't seem himself. Something is different and, honestly,Barry we have never seen anything like this before - what if their separation isn't permanent? Barry I don't know if I can go through that kind of heart ache again."
" You're right - we don't really know what's going to happen. We haven't seen this kind of situation before."
"I don't think I could handle loosing Ronnie again after getting him back but I'm afraid we can never have a normal life anymore. We have both changed over this last year and I feel like we are going down different paths. Funny thing is he asked me if I would move away from Central City with him tonight at dinner , move some place new and start fresh."
Leaning forward, hanging on her every word, Barry thought to himself that she couldn't leave right? She was part of the team, they need her, but most of all he needed her. She was right that things had changed even if it was just his feelings.
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him I couldn't leave the city since my job is here , my friends are here , and we are protecting the city and saving people. I can't just turn my back on that because people need us.
Finally able to breathe after what seemed like a lifetime Barry let out a sigh of relief.
" You're right Cait, we do great things , we help and save people every day and I know that I… well, I mean we couldn't do it without you."
"Of course you couldn't. Who else would patch you up every time?" Caitlin asked, smiling.
"That's only one of the reasons why I asked you to come here Barry. There is something important I need to ask you, and I need you to be honest with me when you answer ok?"
"Um ok sure Cait, what is it?"
"First, how are you and that girl from the bar? Lindy? Laura?"
A smile appeared as Barry asked " You mean Linda?"
"Yeah her, What's the deal with her? How's that going?"
"Um, well to be honest we decided to not see each other anymore. I thought I could manage both a relationship and being the Flash. Truth is I can't. It's not fair to expect someone else to be okay with my secrets and with my leaving at a second's notice all the time. Maybe Oliver was right, maybe guys like us don't get the girl. He said guys like us are meant to be alone."
"I don't think that's true I just don't think you have a girl who accepts you for who you are, Barry. At the end of the day Barry Allen is the real you, the person who defines you, not the Flash. Even heroes need saving sometimes Barry."
"So are you ready for questions?"
"Yeah I think I am."
"Ok well Barry I wanna know if there is something between us. All the little looks , the moments we share, I know we are both part of the team, but Barry I feel like there is something else bigger between us. You got me out of my shell, made me feel like I have a purpose again. I know we are friends, but these feelings I have, well they could be more. I just need to know if I'm way off base with this and if they are only one-sided. I need to know before this heads down a road we can't get off. I know Ronnie is back but he isn't the Ronnie I knew before the explosion and I have accepted that. I just have to tell him that I can't be with him anymore even though I think he knows and feels the same way. I don't put myself out there like this.. So even if it is one-sided I need to know."
Barry could see the look in her eyes - Caitlin had just opened herself up to him. She was vulnerable, her walls fully down.
"Oh god it is one-sided isn't it? God I'm such an idiot."
"What? Oh no sorry that was just a lot to take in." Barry snapped out of his train of thought, realizing that he had been silent.
While he was taking a moment to collect his thoughts , both were startled by the sounds of their phones going off. Both phones said the same thing - Weather Wizard was attacking the city.
Grasping her hand Barry gave it a gentle squeeze, running his thumb over the top of her hand.
"I do have answers for you , and no Cait it's not one-sided. I'll answer all your questions, but now there is something we have to do."
Both nodded in agreement they headed out of Jitters into a side ally where Barry scooped Caitlin up into his arms, feeling her lay her head on his chest as he rushed them to Star Labs.
Thanks for the reviews! All amazing! I wanna stay true to the tv characters so if I kinda move away from that let me know! Check out caitlin51's work as well she is amazing! Question for the readers would you care for longer chapters or does this seem like a good spot? Questions or comments plz feel free to review or tweet me!