Chapter 7
Work was restless as both Caitlin and Barry waited for time to go by. Carla had been the one to make the reservations. Barry had been thinking of all the new places he had to take Caitlin. He had thought of at least thirty in the first hour since meeting her at Jitters for coffee. The restaurant they were going to tonight had been on the list Barry had made in his head. They had a lot of time to make up for. And he didn't plan to waste any more of it.
The restaurant Carla chose to have dinner at was small compared to the more luxurious restaurants in Central City but had its own fancy flare to it. Carla had told Anthony that she wanted this dinner to be just like old times. Even though Arthur and Nora were not there to celebrate Caitlin's return with them. Henry and Carla had been sitting there catching up when Barry and Caitlin had walked into the restaurant together, laughing and smiling like no time had passed between them.
Conversation spewed out between the two families easily. Barry and Caitlin would often drift away in private conversation their words lost to the ears of their parents. They would just lose themselves in each other.
They had started off talking about hobbies, old and new. Caitlin had picked up a habit of waking up early for morning jogs with Oliver and playing tennis in the afternoons with Laurel. Barry had started playing chess back in college. He told Caitlin he could use a partner to run with in the morning since Iris never liked to run.
Caitlin told Barry of her new friends in Star City. She told him of Laurel Lance. The fiercest lawyer in Star City. Sara Lance, Laurel's sister, used martial arts as a form of aggression therapy and has taught everyone in their group of friends how to defend themselves. Caitlin laughed that she never quite got the hang of it. Thea Queen was like her little sister, they used to go shopping once a week and force Oliver to go with them. John Diggle was like the father of the group, always watching over everyone. Tommy Merlyn was Laurel's boyfriend and co-owner of Verdant along with Oliver. Felicity, Caitlin's closest friend, the brilliant computer tech genius was now married to Oliver Queen. She offhandedly mentioned that Oliver was on Star City's Top 10 sexiest men, ranking as number 1. Barry made a funny face at that bit of information. Henry made sure to note the jealousy in Barry's tone as he replied "Very nice."
"You talk about Oliver a lot." Barry stated a small frown on his face.
"Well yeah. Other than Felicity, Oliver was the first person I truly connected with. I miss him." She smiled.
Barry, in return, told Caitlin about the friends he made over the years. He told Caitlin of Iris and him meeting the months following her departure from Central City. With Iris followed her best friend, Eddie Thawne. Barry and Eddie both work at CCPD so both have grown a close friendship. He admitted briefly that Eddie and him often work out together. Barry notice her cheeks turn a subtle pink before continuing the conversation. He then mentioned Cisco Ramon, the first friend he made in college. Barry told Caitlin that he works a STAR Labs.
"Oh! The guy with the long hair and the graphic T-shirts? I know him! He is a horrible flirt but is so funny." She laughed. Again, Barry felt a surge of jealousy, which he quelled by laughing along with her.
"That's right. You work there now. He flirts with you?" Barry anxiously awaited a response.
"Ehh not really? He kind of pushes this other guy, Jay to flirt with me."
The two then pulled out their phone to browse photos of the former mentioned friends. Barry and Iris bowling. Barry camping with Cisco and Henry. Barry soberly carrying a drunken Eddie and a drunken Cisco. A couple of cute couple photos of him and Iris. Barry accidently swiped to a picture of him shirtless and Caitlin blushed as he quickly swiped it away. She smiled to brush away the fear of embarrassment which worked as Barry smiled at her in return.
She showed him pictures of her and some of the girls. One of Felicity making a strange face with a grumpy Oliver in the background. One of her, Oliver, Thea and Moira all standing together for a family photo. Caitlin with her arms wrapped around a man smiling at the camera. One of Laurel and Sara dancing with Caitlin, their arms raised above their heads. A picture of her and Felicity crying on her wedding day. A lot more of Caitlin smiling. It made Barry happy to see that she was well looked after, but sad that he was not there in any of them.
All of this happened while Carla and Henry quietly watched from the other side of the table. When their food arrived, talking had run down to a minimum. Both Barry and Caitlin were too excited to eat but wouldn't let the expensive dinner go to waste.
Henry turned to Caitlin, "So Caitlin, Are you single?" Barry's heart jumped at the question, anxiously awaiting an answer from his best friend.
"Actually yes. My previous boyfriend and I broke things off after he proposed."
Carla placed her hand on her daughter's arm. "Oh, dear! I'm so sorry to hear that."
"No worries," Caitlin smiled, "It was my choice. I wasn't ready. And we are still great friends. He actually helped me move my things into the truck when I left Star City." She explained.
Barry felt a wave of relief wash over him. A small part of him felt guilt rise within him as he thought about Iris but pushed it away because tonight was about Caitlin.
"So, Caitlin," Henry continued asking Caitlin Questions, "What do you do, exactly?"
"I'm a bioengineer at STAR Labs. They have me working on a secret project that will be announced next week so I think it's okay to talk about. They have me looking into possible ways the particle accelerator could human physiology. In other words, I am a Doctor just like my mom." She smiled.
Carla gave her a bright smile and squeezed her hand. Since marrying Anthony, Carla was much more open with her emotions. Caitlin noticed that almost immediately. She wasn't so cold and strict anymore.
Barry quickly pulled her back into a private conversation between the two of them soon after. Carla and Henry shared a secret smile and continued on with dinner.
When dinner was over Caitlin pulled Henry into a long hug, "I really missed you Henry. I'm so sorry to hear about Nora." She whispered in his ear. Henry pulled away with a sad smile.
"Thank you, Caitlin. It really means a lot." Henry stepped away allowing Carla and Caitlin to hug briefly. Carla had given her a quick goodbye and both promised to visit each other soon. Henry walked Carla to her car before heading home himself.
Barry had escorted Caitlin back to his car. While walking back Barry nervously fiddled with his fingers. "You know, the night is still young. Would you want to... uh... I don't know... continue the night?" He stumbled through his words.
She gave him a dazzling smile that made Barry's mind go blank. "How can I say no when you still stumble over your words like you are sixteen again?"
Barry didn't know why he was suddenly so nervous around her. She was his best friend and yeah, he might still hold feelings for her, but he was with Iris. Being alone with Caitlin shouldn't have made him nervous like he was on a first date or anything. He doesn't even think he was this nervous on Iris and his first date. And this wasn't a date. Barry just needed to stop thinking.
Barry and Caitlin had decided to talk a walk in Central City Park, which was only a few blocks away from the restaurant.
"Okay. Random question." She said, her right arm latching onto his left. Their bracelets lightly brushing together. Her head leaning on his shoulder.
"What is it?" He smiled down at her.
"Are you happy, Barry?"
They stopped walking alongside the small lake in the center of the park. "What do you mean?" He turned to look at her, tilting his head in confusion.
"I mean, are you happy? With your life? With where you are at in life?" She looked up at him. Her expression pure and innocent.
He pondered what his answer would be. He was tempted to reply with the usual, 'Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?' But then he thought about how this is Caitlin and she knew him too well, even with their time apart they read each other too well. So, Barry took a moment to think about his answer. He thought about the CCPD, and about Iris, and about his mom, and about everything else in his life.
"Honestly, I don't know. I don't know where I am at right now, but I know that in this moment; right here. Right now, I am happy with you." He gave her a smile while taking her hands in his.
She frowned briefly before smiling up at him reaching up and placing a sweet kiss on his cheek. "Good. That's all I need to know." She pulled away releasing his hands and continued walking along the path.
Barry was in a daze. He hadn't felt that spark jolting inside of him since he kissed Caitlin before she left Central City. But she was back.
He had to remind himself that she was back. And she wasn't leaving anytime soon. Even if she was, he wouldn't just let her walk away from him this time. He slowly shook his head at her retreating form, and ran to catch up with her. He slipped his hand into hers and laced their fingers together. He looked down at her with a smile that he doubted would leave his face for the next two weeks. The two adults walked the park, hand in hand, re-familiarizing themselves with each other.
Yes, Barry Allen was happy.
In this moment, with his Caitlin Snow, he was happy.
After their walk in the park, Barry drove her back to her apartment. He walked her up to her apartment and they lingered outside her door for a few minutes just talking with one another.
"Ugh. As much as I'd love to continue chatting with you, I do have work in the morning and I'm sure you do too." Caitlin turned to unlock her apartment door. She heard him release a loud sigh.
"Dr. Caitlin Snow, always work and no play with you." He chuckled when he saw her stiffin and throw a glare at him over her shoulder.
"Hey! I play!" Her glare turned into a smile as she started laughing, "You just haven't seen that part of me yet." She gave him a teasing smirk and wink.
Barry was caught off guard. "Wh– Uhh. No! That's not what I meant! Ugh, Cait! Stop laughing at me!" His fumbling only made her laugh harder.
"Oh, Barry! You are just too cute for your own good." Smiling gently, she patted his hair briefly, "I will see you on Friday for movie night anyway. That's only a few days away."
"Okay fine. But expect a call from me tomorrow. I still missed you." He reached out and pulled her close to him in a warm hug. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer to her. Whispering in his ear so quietly he might have imagined it.
"What am I going to do with you, Barry Allen?"
He smiled and pulled away slightly, placing a short kiss on her forehead before letting her go entirely.
"Goodnight, Cait."
"Goodnight, Barry."
They stood there for a moment, just staring at one another before Caitlin opened her door and slipped inside. Barry stared at her door for a few more seconds. A dopey smile still permanently engraved on his face. Barry turned and headed home.
Barry unlocked the door to his apartment as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake up Iris. It was almost midnight when he arrived home. Dinner ended around seven. He hadn't realized he had spent so much time walking and talking with Caitlin. Time just slipped away from them. And he really didn't want to waste any more time with her. He snuck inside heading straight to the bathroom. He was rummaging through his drawers for some sweatpants when Iris spoke.
"You're home late." She said it with accusation laced with jealousy.
Barry was oblivious to her jealousy in his happy state. "I know. I know. I told you I might be late. And not to wait up for me." He turned off the light. Leaning down he kissed her forehead before climbing in bed himself.
"You smell like perfume."
"Lavender. Probably Cait's, she loves the smell of lavender. Always has." He was about ready to fall asleep when Iris turned her side table lamp on. She obviously wanted to talk.
"Barry, I don't like the relationship you have with Caitlin." She grumbled, folding her arms across her chest in annoyance.
Barry sighed, "Iris, Caitlin is my best friend. I just got her back. I need to spend time with her now." He sat up to look at her.
"She doesn't seem to care about you!" She snapped. "I remember how you acted when we first met Barry, right after she left. She walked out of your life Barr. Who is to say she won't do it again?"
"It wasn't her choice to walk out of my life. She left hers behind too. Central City is her home." He felt the need to defend Caitlin.
"I don't think Central City is her home Barry." She mumbled. "I don't think she came back for Central City."
Barry sighed, he lifted her chin, looking her right in the eyes. "Iris, Caitlin is to me, what Eddie is to you." She flinched. Barry's eyebrows furrowed. She broke eye contact with him.
"I just... I love you Barry. We've been at this over and over again, but we have been going steady for three months now. And I'm just afraid her being back is going to change things between us."
"Iris, please, just try and get to know her. For me? Please?"
Iris took a few moments to contemplate her options. "Okay. I'll try." Barry smiled. Kissed her briefly on the lips.
"That's all I ask." He replied laying down as she turned the light off. Wrapping her arms around him she heard him mumbled,
"Trust me, you'll love her." He yawned before drifting off to sleep.
Iris couldn't sleep. This was the first night Barry hadn't said 'I love you' back. But it wouldn't be the last.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry it's a bit late. Hope this chapter clears up some problems. I know a lot of people are a saying Barry and Iris should break up but that won't be for a while. Sorry! All I can say is it will happen and it will be big. But it will not be under normal circumstances.
Clarifications:
Barry and Iris have been on and off since Barry's Freshman year of college, which is around 7 years ago. Barry and Iris have only dated in spurts never really long periods of time. They both have dated other people between break ups but they are insignificant. Barry just feels comfortable with her since Caitlin left. Barry is in love with Caitlin in this story, Iris doesn't really hold anything to the relationship Barry and Caitlin have.
Barry and Caitlin have been separated for eight years now. At first, they kept in touch but that was only early on. Iris knew about Caitlin but never met her and eventually tried to replace her. Barry was sad and hurt that she left, so after a year or two stopped talking about her. Everyone just assumed Caitlin was some friend from his past. Caitlin pushed everyone away when she left. After Nora died Barry missed Caitlin silently. He never really had a need to talk about her because he had Iris, so he just missed her silently when he was alone.
So, when Iris confronted Caitlin and Barry when they reunited she was being a bit possessive of Barry. Iris knew he was happier than usual but didn't know why.
As for Caitlin not knowing about everything going on in Central City, Nora's death and Carla's marriage; Caitlin was in Star City. Her and her mother kept in touch but not often. Caitlin's life was consumed by College and her friends and family in Star City. The last time Carla and Caitlin had talked, Anthony was a nameless boyfriend and Carla didn't have a wedding, it was just a courthouse ceremony. Carla didn't want Caitlin to find out about Nora over the phone. Plus, I wanted to make it a bit more personal for them to tell her in person. Anthony won't play a main role in the story. He may be mentioned here and there but he probably won't appear for a while, if at all. And even if Carla had invited Caitlin back to Central City, Cait probably wouldn't have gone. She had Olicity wedding, her job, and other problems to deal with in Star City.
Sorry about all the confusion, but usually everything happens in this story for a reason. :)
