Author's Note: Merry Christmas! Not.
Anyone get that? You know, that was Harry's new faze in season 3... and this is a Christmas episode... no? Nothing? Ah well, I tried.
It was almost Christmas. Caitlin normally hated Christmas. Her father had passed away around this time, and for the longest part of her life, it held only painful memories.
And then Barry came along, and turned those unhappy memories into the happiest of her life. They had had their first real, full on kiss on Christmas. They had traded stories and cups of eggnog, and now when Caitlin thought of the holiday, she thought of Barry. It was time to repay that favor.
She had his favorite coffee from Jitter's in her hand, and her coziest Christmas sweater on as she crept up the steps to Barry's lab at the CCPD. He had been spending more time there, lately. It was hard for him to be in STAR Labs with Harry around, with what had happened to him with Zoom, with his experience with her kidnapping.
Taking a deep breath, Caitlin burst through the door to Barry's lab. "Surprise!" She cried, beaming at him.
He jumped and looked up, startled but grinning when he saw her. "Cait!"
"Merry Christmas." She said, trotting over and passing him the coffee. "I thought I would come say hi. Hope it's not a bad time."
"Every time with you is a good time." Barry said.
"Corny today, I see?" Caitlin teased, pecking his lips.
He pulled her in for a longer kiss and nuzzled their noses together. "Naw. Just happy. I guess the Christmas spirit is getting to me."
Caitlin smiled. "That's always good to hear." She whispered.
They both glanced up as Iris came into the room. Caitlin waved at her friend, then noticed her face. "Hey Iris... what's wrong?"
"Can I, um, speak to Barry for a moment?" Iris chocked out, pleading with Caitlin with her eyes.
Looking concerned, Caitlin nodded. "Yeah, yeah, ok." She gave Barry one last kiss and hurried toward the door before he could argue. "Text me later, ok? I see you at STAR Labs."
With one last glance over she shoulder, Caitlin exited the room and left the two siblings alone. She walked down the steps and out of the CCPD, waving at Joe as she passed him in the doorway. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Caitlin repeated in response, walking out into the icy air. She tilted her head back and smiled, soft white flakes fluttering down from the heavens. "Look at that snow..."
After an awkward brainstorming session with Jay about what to do with the many breaches, where he not-so-covertly mentioned that "Barry's not the only I want to keep safe", Caitlin returned to her desk. She resisted the urge to bang her head forcefully on the table when she heard Cisco inviting Jay over to the West's Christmas party. Nooooo... why...
There wasn't much going on at STAR Labs at the moment, and Caitlin stared, bored, out the window, regretting leaving the CCPD. She had had the plan to at least drink her coffee with Barry, if not spend the morning with him. Sighing, she glanced at the company she currently had. No one but Jay, who was staring openly in her direction. She gave him an awkward smile and turned hurriedly back to her computer. What did he not get about the fact that she had a boyfriend and wasn't into him?!
Cisco picked up his phone as it started to ring, and placed Barry on speaker phone. "Heeeey dude. What's up?"
"Mardin, Jesse and Snart all broke out of prison this afternoon." Barry said through the phone. "There's no trace of them, and the only proof we've got is security footage. Can you guys-"
"Already looking." Both Cisco and Caitlin called. Caitlin jumped out of her chair and ran over to Cisco's desk.
"Try the-"
"Yep, yep, on it." Cisco typed furiously, using the STAR Labs cameras to search for unusually cold frequencies. "Nothing... yet. I'll keep up the search, and we'll know the second something happens. Or," He grinned. "Sooner, with these new powers."
Barry joined them back at STAR Labs a few minutes later, shaking his head and panting a little from his run.
Cisco laughed. "Oh ho ho, yeah, Weather Wizard, Captain Cold, the Trickster..." He trailed off, leaving the pictures of the three malefactors up on the screen.
"There's three of them and one of you." Caitlin frowned. "I do not like those odds."
"And I'm going to be no help without my speed, so," Jay put in (unhelpfully).
"Oh!" Cisco tapped the top of his head in excitement. "Lightbulb. Up here. I have an idea. Most weather phenomena are marked- no pun intended- by a fluctuation in the atmosphere. We could just map out those fluctuations-"
"To pin point his location." Barry muttered, finishing the sentence.
"Right. It would just be the matter of-"
"Removing all the electricity from his immediate surroundings." Barry, once again, picked up the slack. Harry turned around, giving them both weird looks.
"Pinpoint-"
"One spot-"
"Like a lighting rod does, but instead of a lighting rod, we could use-"
"A wand?"
Now Cisco gave Barry a strange look, too. Caitlin frowned. Jay exchanged glances with Harry. "Have we already had this conversation?"
Barry shrugged, obviously fighting an amused smile. "...Kind of?"
"What does that mean?" Harry asked, face stone cold.
"Uh...Alright, so the last time Mardin attacked, he generated a tidal wave that destroyed all of Central City." Barry said.
Harry blinked. "So why are you not all sleeping with the fishes?"
Barry started to speak, but Cisco cut him off with a raised eyebrow. "Earth 2 has the Godfather?"
"Every Earth has the Godfather." Harry shot back.
"Well, I ran back through time," Barry cut in. "I went one day, into the past, and I got a do-over. And I stopped Mardin, before he could hurt anyone."
"You shouldn't have messed with the timeline." Harry said gravely, shaking his head.
Barry let out a sigh. "That's... what the other Wells said," He abruptly changed the subject, turning back to Cisco. "So, the good news is, in that timeline, you created the wand and it worked. So you just gotta do it again. For the first time."
Cisco looked minor-ly overwhelmed. "Hmph. No pressure."
"I can give you a hand." Jay offered.
"Best of both worlds." Cisco shrugged. They high-fived as they left the room.
Harry walked to follow them, glaring at the floor. Barry frowned. "You good, Harry?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" With that, he walked out of the room.
"Holiday blues?" Caitlin suggested, noticing Barry's slightly offended look. "Can't be easy knowing Zoom still has his daughter."
"Yeah." Barry's face scrunched into a frown. "Hey, you're coming to Joe's tonight, right?"
"Of course!" Caitlin grinned. Then her face slumped a bit. "And so's Jay. Cisco... Cisco invited him. Which, obviously that's the right thing to do, I just... you know how he is. He doesn't seem to get the hint that we're together."
Barry frowned, reaching out to rub the front of her shoulders and turn her to face him. "Do you want me to talk to him? Tell him to leave you alone?"
"No!" Caitlin cried. "No, no, that would be- no. It's fine, I can deal with it."
"Okay..." Barry still looked unconvinced, but Caitlin gave him the most confident smile she could.
Though... her smile was not very confident, and neither of them were convinced by the time Barry flashed off to head back to work.
Flash!
"So, Francine had another kid?" Caitlin was still a little confused on the details and Barry led her into the West's house for a brief break from their search for Mardin. "And Joe didn't know about it?"
"Yeah, and Iris found out when she was doing research on Francine, and only just told Joe now." Barry sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I think it'll be fine. They seemed ok. Shaken, hurt, but ok."
"That's good-" Caitlin froze as her eyes landed on a man sitting in the corner, holding a cup of cocoa.
"Ho ho ho." Leonard Snart murmured. He took a casual sip out of the mug, watching as Caitlin and Barry stared at him in shock. "Hmph. Cocoa isn't cocoa without the mini marshmallows, and you're out. I checked."
In the next second, Barry had flashed across the room and Snart's back crashed into the rim of the fireplace. "Are you out of your mind?!" Barry bellowed. "Breaking into my home-"
"Careful." Snart cautioned, not looking all that concerned, considering Barry's murderous expression. "Upgrade to the cold gun. If I release my grip from the handle the core will go critical. You might make it." His eyes flicked to Caitlin. "Miss Snow, here, won't."
Slowly, Barry let go of Snart's jacket. Once again, the crook looked to Caitlin. "Nice to see you again, doctor."
Caitlin came around the side of the couch to stand closer to Barry, glaring Snart down. "Still messing with our lives, I see. I thought you'd have learned your lesson by now."
"Didn't Barry tell you? I had a rough childhood."
"Everyone in this room had a rough childhood." Caitlin snapped, her usual compassion for humanity leaving her. "Get over it."
"Why are you here, Snart?" Barry asked dangerously.
"I got the noel sprit, and wanted to give you a gift." Snart smirked with a shrug. Barry and Caitlin exchanged suspicious glances. "Mardin broke Jesse and me out to kill you." Snart said. "Jesse's on board, of course, he's shaking with excitement. Me, I'm gonna pass..."
"Since when do you have a conscience?" Caitlin snapped, folding her arms.
"Mardin wants revenge, Jesse wants chaos. I'm just not... invested like they are." Snart shrugged once more, pushing himself from his leaned position against the fireplace.
"You mean there's no money in it for you."
"There's never much for non-profit work." Snart shot back.
Barry wasn't looking convinced, "If you're not in with them then tell me where they are."
"Eh." Snart took a few steps foreword, getting in Barry's face a little. "I'm gonna be more secret santa. Besides... you and your friends love to solve a good mystery."
With that, he twisted past Barry and walked toward the door. Barry's face creased with anger. "You are full of it, Snart. I think, my friends I save your sister's life, and you just can't stand owing me a favor. I hate to break it to you, but that, that right there is called honor."
Snart turned slowly. "Go on, make your pitch. I can see you're dying to."
"Help me stop them." Barry murmured, his face dead serious.
Snart only smirked. "Sorry. I'm not interested in being a hero."
"You're doing a pretty lousy job of being a villain this week." Barry said, laughing shortly.
"Merry Christmas, Barry." Snart whispered, and with that, he stepped out the door and into the cold.
Flash!
Barry and Caitlin arrived back at STAR Labs in time to catch a video broadcasted across the television network. The Trickster's hideous face popped into view, grinning. "Flashy the red nosed speedster, had a very shiny suit..." He sang maniacally.
Cisco pulled out the broadcast on a bigger screen, and joined the others in front of the desk to watch what the Trickster had to say. "And if you ever saw him," He continued singing, "You might even want to puke." The Trickster mocked gagged, winking at the camera. "Merry Christmas, kiddywinks. I'm baaaack..."
"You know, the holidays can be a time for gentle reflection on your past. Our ups and downs, our.. triumphs and heartaches. But don't forget, it can also be a time for disemboweling our enemies."
"We don't have a Trickster on Earth 2." Jay muttered.
"He's one of a kind." Caitlin deadpanned.
"No, my stocking won't be fully stuffed until it's filled to the brim with bloody flash parts." Jesse hissed. Then he grinned again. Barry and Caitlin exchanged glances. "What'a you say, speed freak. You wanna roast chestnuts?" The screen blinked dark again.
Barry walked foreword, remarkable calm, considering the threat. "Are there any clues to wear he is from the video?"
"None that I can see." Cisco frowned, taking a seat and pulling the video pack up.
Jay leaned closer and inspected the paused video. "Guys, there's a reflection of something..."
Cisco blew up the photo, and all of them stared in confusing at what looked like a teddy bear. "What is that?" Barry asked.
"Not sure." Caitlin leaned foreword.
"That's Mr. Jiggle Wiggle."
Everyone turned to Harry, who's face was completely blank. "It's a doll. A stuffed children's toy- I gave one to my daughter when she was six."
"Mr. Jiggle Wiggle is manufactured by Okamura Toys..." Cisco muttered, back to typing. "Yahtzee! They once had an old shipping facility that shut down four years ago. It's been abandoned every since- what if the Weather Wizards there? The wand's not finished."
"Well." Barry said, a steely look that Caitlin didn't like at all crossing his face. "The Trickster is."
Flash!
Instead of finding the Tricksters... Barry found Patty. He got back to STAR Labs with a sorrowful look and slumped shoulders and immediately told Caitlin everything that Patty had told him.
"Are you sure she wanted you to tell people, Barry?" Caitlin asked gently, a little uncomfortable about learning the life story of a girl she didn't even know.
"It's you." Barry protested, confused. "And it's not like you'll ever tell anyone." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just don't know what I can do to make her feel better."
"Well," Caitlin smiled. "It's been my experience that just being around you can be a big help." He kissed her after that, smile pressed to her lips.
Luckily for them, Cisco finished the Weather Wand in time for the next showdown between Flash and his enemies. Cisco got a ping on his computer only three hours after Barry got back from the old warehouse. "It's definitely Mardin." He confirmed grimly. "Atmospheric pressure just dropped 200 hecto-pascals."
"Where?"
"Central City Square." Cisco said.
"The tree lighting ceremony." Caitlin realized, stomach dropping.
"There's thousands of people there." Barry muttered, eyes widening. He didn't waste any more time, grabbing the wand off of it's stand and flashing out.
Barry found Madin right where he thought he'd be. Mardin actually smiled at the sight of the speedster. "Oh. Glad to see you. Maybe you can help me."
"Help you get back to a jail cell?" Barry asked, loosely grasping the wand. "Yeah, I'd love to-"
"No, no!" Mardin shook his head, still grinning. "See, I'm trying to decide if I should kill everyone down there with a deadly hailstorm or- to look trickier- with acid rain. What do you think?"
Barry rolled his eyes, mock considering. "Oh, let me think, uh- How about neither?" He held up the wand. "You see this here? Guess what-"
Before he could finish, Mardin free fell off of the building. Barry rushed to the edge, and his eyes went wide. "Um... guys? He's flying."
"He can fly?!" Caitlin squeaked. "Since when can he fly?"
Cisco shrugged, like it was completely understandable. "Well, he's using his powers to alter the air pressure around him to create pockets of updraft that-"
"No." Harry interrupted, eyes on the screen. "He can fly."
"Barry!" Jay yelled into the mic. "Get him!"
Barry flashed off, zipping through the crowded streets as everyone moved in slow motion around him. He kept his eyes on Mardin's dark form, still zooming swiftly through the air. He looked over his shoulder, spotted Barry, and increased his speed.
Using a desperate attempt at a gain, Barry leapt unto the rotters of a passing helicopter and moved even faster, raising the wand as he went. He came to a sudden stop in the middle of a crowd, people staggering out of his way as he blasted Mardin with the wand.
Mardin fell to the ground, powers momentarily depleted, groaning. Barry stalked foreword as screaming people ran away. "You didn't really think I'd let you hurt all of these people, did you?" He asked, feeling a little bit triumphant.
Mardin crawled to his feet. "No, course not." He said. "But... I bet you're gonna let me hurt you."
Barry blanched, and a small wrapped package came rolling foreword, gently bumping into his boot. He slowly raised his head.
There sat the Trickster, in full Santa regalia, a pile of similar presents loading a bag beside him. "Feliz Navidad!" He cackled. "Time for a real war on Christmas."
"What is this?" Barry asked warily.
"That," The Weather Wizard responded, almost pleasantly. "Is a box with a bomb in it."
"Yep!" Jesse agreed, swinging his legs up so they could cross together as he sucked on his candy cane. "I've handed out about a hundred of them today. Oh... it feels so good to give."
Barry's heart sank, and his gaze flicked back to Mardin as the malefactor took up the story. "You see, there are about a hundred random children who had each taken home a box- just like that one, and are shoving it under their Christmas tree. There's no way for you to get to all of them, even if you knew where to look."
Feeling sick, Barry waited for the catch to be revealed. One hundred innocent children- possible more- who were all going to die if he didn't do what Mardin and Jesse wanted. "Please. Don't do this." He begged.
Mardin looked honestly shocked. "Me? Kill a hundred families? No... That's up to you. I'm happy just to take your life. So." He smiled again, though his eyes were starting to get dark. Dangerous. "This is how it's gonna be. You are going to stand there. And let me end you. Very publicly, and very painfully. I'll let everybody live! But. If I see even a little... flicker of electricity on you. Casket makers, in this town, are going to have a very. Merry. Christmas." Mardin stepped back a little, waiting for the answer that he already knew he would get. "So, Flash. What's it gonna be?"
In his chair, Jesse leaned foreword excitedly as Barry slowly handed the wand over to Mardin. In the Cortex, Caitlin was ridged in her seat, Cisco sending her nervous glances on her right, Jay with clenched fists on her left. Barry had to have a plan... right?
Before that plan could come into action, Barry was hit backward by a sharp ice ball, sent by Mardin. Even through the coms, they could hear the Trickster's manacle laughter. She went cold. "They're going to kill Barry!"
"Unless we find those bombs. Cisco-"
"Jay, there's no way." Cisco breathed hopelessly.
"There is a way." Harry disagreed, crossing his arms over his chest, relaxed.
"To find a hundred randomly placed bombs?!" Cisco yelled.
"We don't have to find a hundred." Harry said, stalking over to the desks and staring Cisco down. "We just have to find one, and then we get rid of them all."
"How?" Caitlin asked, not willing to be hopeful just yet.
"A breach." Jay realized.
Harry nodded. "We sent Grodd away and we can do the same to these bombs. Do you have a drone in your workshop?" Cisco nodded. "Does it fly?" Another nod. "Good. I'm taking it. And you're not getting it back."
"I'll get the van." Cisco offered, lunging out of his chair.
Caitlin, left in the Cortex, could only watch with a thudding heart as Barry's vitals rapidly rose and fell. She leaned foreword, toward the com. "It's alright." She whispered. "You're going to be ok, right? Cisco, Jay and Harry have gone to get the bombs. It's going to be ok. I'm here."
She kept up like that, Barry in too much pain to respond, but taking strength from her whispers.
10 painful minutes later, Cisco was yelling into his phone. "Barry! The bombs are gone!"
Barry was on his feet in a second, body aching as he flashed around, tying up the Trickster and blasting Mardin with his weather wand.
Then he was off again, flashing back to STAR Labs, and back to an admittedly frantic Caitlin.
It was only once he fell into her arms (quite literally) that her heart rate slowed down. Only she and Barry's wobbly, aching legs was left supporting him, but Caitlin didn't care, pulling him to her so hard it almost hurt. Her arms wrapped around his back, fingers grasping the red leather like she would never let go.
Once Barry's breathing straightened out to something that resembled a normal inhale-exhale, Caitlin pulled herself back a little. "I thought I was going to lose you." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Barry reached up and slowly pulled off his cowl, dried blood making it stick to his face. "I thought I was going to lose me, too." He smiled a little, trying to make the situation a little less heavy. Caitlin croaked out a laugh and shoved him over to her lab for a checkup.
After she had wrapped up his torso, which was covered in splintered bruises and blood, Barry pulled her to lie in his arms, down on the bed. Caitlin sighed in contentment and snuggled into his chest, letting him wrap around her like a human blanket. "I love you." She murmured in his ear.
"I love you more." Barry responded, hugging her tighter.
Caitlin smiled deviously, even though he couldn't see it. "More then your speed?"
With an affronted gasp, Barry pulled back enough to see her face. His eyes were dark, concerned...
Until he saw she was laughing.
He humphed, and dragged her grumpily back into his chest. "I don't know, after what you just pulled." He teased, not meaning a word of it. Caitlin crawled up his chest a little, and kissed him. He tasted like blood and sweat, but also Barry, and that was all she needed.
Jay and Cisco took that opportunity to walk in. Cisco, unfortunately used to this by now, only sighed and coughed. Loudly. Caitlin gave him an annoyed look. "What?"
"There are people in the room who do not need to see you two kissing." He groaned.
Jay seemed to second the motion, his eyes going angry, like they had when he walked in on them kissing after Barry went blind. He turned away, making himself useful elsewhere.
Barry sat up with a groan as Joe walked into the room. The cop turned to Caitlin first, but she was already ready with an answer, "Nothing a little speed-healing can't fix."
"Good." Joe nodded. "Couldn't have Barry all bruised for our Christmas party."
"Right!" Caitlin cried. "It's Christmas!"
Barry snickered, and elbowed her. "What, forget to get me a present?"
Caitlin rolled her eyes. "I'm a girl. Of course not."
"Shall we?" Barry offered her his hand. She interwind their fingers attempted to stay as close as possible to him as they walked to the elevator.
They took her car to the Wests' house, Barry exhausted and still too sore to run. Caitlin smiled as she parked, seeing the festive lights and decorated tree sparkling inside.
"Remember last year?" She whispered, the two of them taking a moment alone with each other before going inside. "Joe almost caught us kissing in the kitchen."
"That was nice." Barry remembered, nodding. She gave him an odd look. "The kissing, not the almost getting caught."
They walked inside still holding hands, and Barry leaned down to kiss her. Joe broke them apart with cough. "Time for that later, you two." He said, shaking his head fondly. "But right now it's time for you to help me pick out some music."
"No Mariah Carry- please." Caitlin begged, grinning. "Put on Harry Connick Jr. or something."
Joe trundled off to go find a CD that he was convinced he had somewhere, and Caitlin took of her coat, draping it familiarly along the rack next to the door. Barry smiled at her. "Presents now or later?"
"Want to do now?" Caitlin asked, digging in her deep coat pocket for the package she knew was in there. "No one's here."
"I don't know how you could top last year's gift." Barry said, smirking as he remembered the flash tie and vial of extremely potent alcohol inside.
"I was thinking the same thing." Caitlin admitted, tucking her legs underneath her as she sat down on the couch. She glanced at the fireplace, remembering earlier that day. "I wonder what happened to Snart?"
An angry look crossed Barry's face. "Don't know and don't care. I hate that guy."
"I know." Caitlin told him. She handed him his package. "Then let's forget about him, and you open up your gift."
Barry carefully pulled of the wrapping paper, and inspected what was inside curiously. On the front cover, a picture of the two of them from last Christmas poked out from soft velvet surroundings. Barry opened up the first page.
Pictures covered the entire surface. Pictures of the two of them, but also some of Team Flash. Cisco dominated one in an epic selfie with his cardboard cutout, Iris and Caitlin had there arms around each other in another, Joe's picture was being photo bombed by none other then Harry-
Tears welled up in Barry's eyes for a moment, looking for the memories of the last year. "Caitlin- this is- this is- beautiful."
She smiled, pleased with herself. "I'm glad you like it."
"It's perfect." Barry breathed, wrapped her up in a hug. "I love you so much." He laughed, and handed her his gift. "Why do I let you go first? Makes my gift seem lame."
Giggling, Caitlin tore off the wrapping paper on her own gift. There were two parts to it, one package on top, and one of the bottom. Inside the first were two soft articles of clothing.
"Oh my gosh!" Caitlin burst into peals of laughter. "You got me Flash mittens!"
"And a hat." Barry grinned, laughing with her. He tugged the soft hat unto her curls, adjusting it so the Flash symbol shone in the front.
Caitlin pulled on the fleecy red mittens and giggled again. "Thank you Barry."
"There's more." He pushed the second package toward her, and, sending him a suspicious look, Caitlin took it.
This one was smaller, more boxy in shape, and harder to the touch. Caitlin shook it curiously, heart starting to pound. If it was a ring... he would be on one knee right now, right? Anyway, it was way too early...
She opened the box.
A small, heart shaped locket, nestled it tissue, lay inside. Caitlin felt in part relieved and disappointed, but she pushed those emotions aside and picked up the delicate chain. "Barry.. it's so beautiful."
"Open it up." Barry urged, motioning at the locket.
Slowly, carefully, Caitlin unhooked the small heart shaped locket and peeked inside. There were two pictures. The one on the right was of them, arms around each other, Barry's lips pressed to her temple, Caitlin grinning widely at Cisco, who had taken the picture. On the other side was the whole of Team Flash, a "selfie" Barry had speed taken to replace the one with Dr. Wells in it.
Caitlin choked up. "I love it." She whispered.
"Year of pictures, huh?" Barry said, reaching over to hook the necklace for her. "It looks beautiful."
"I'll wear it forever." Caitlin promised. "And the hat and mittens."
Laughing, Barry yanked her down so she was lying on top of him and kissed her. Caitlin tangled her fingers into his hair and sighed happily.
They were just finishing up with their impromptu make-out session when Iris and Cisco walked in. The two of them were positively beaming at each other, Cisco sporting a brand new bowtie that had 4 inconspicuous letters on it, 'V I B E', and Iris holding what looked to be a new purse. Caitlin and Barry grinned at each other. "Merry Christmas, guys!" Barry called.
"Good, you're here." Joe came back out the kitchen, the music turning on on cue with his entrance (it wasn't Harry Connick Jr.). "I got something for all of you!" He held out a small wrapped package.
Iris, who was closest, grabbed it with a smile and Barry scooted over to make more room on the couch so she could sit. Cisco perched on the arm of the chair, and Iris opened the box.
"Joe, it's perfect!" Caitlin squealed, watching the light glimmer off the metal lighting bolt as Iris held it in the air.
Cisco grinned. "Best. Christmas inside joke. Ever." At Iris' point look, he amended his statement. "Not counting Iris' gift."
Iris bounded over to the tree and located a mostly-empty spot in the heavy decorations. She hung the ornament triumphantly, and grinned at her dad. "Thanks."
"You're very welcome." Nodded Joe, looking pleased with his choice. "Now, I've got mistletoe to hang up, and eggnog to drink. Let's get to it!"
He passed the sprig of mistletoe over to Caitlin, who moved over to hand it where it was usually located. There was a knock at the door, and Cisco hurried over to open it up.
"Jay!" He cried happily, letting the tall man inside, and Caitlin sighed. Then she steeled herself. Even Jay wasn't going to get her Christmas spirit down.
Caitlin leapt a few times, short frame stretching for the high arch of the door as she attempted to hang the mistletoe. Barry broke off from his greeting conversation with Jay and smiled. "Hang on a second."
He crossed the room in a few strides, and stretched up to easily pin the mistletoe up. "Even with those heels, you're still too short, Dr. Snow."
She swatted his arm, then pointed upward. "Mistletoe.."
He smirked, and leaned closer. "I noticed." He gave her a gentle kiss, grabbing on to her hand so she could give it a squeeze.
Joe handed out cups of way-too-strong eggnog, which Cisco eagerly (and loudly) slurped. Jay was new to Grandma Ester's brew, and coughed after the first sip. "What is this stuff?"
"Christmas in a cup." Joe told him sagely, taking a sip of his own mug. He spluttered as well. "Whew! It's extra strong this year."
Laughing, Barry and Caitlin stepped back into the living room and joined their friends.
Flash!
After Wally made an unexpected appearance at the Wests' house, the party died down a little bit. Cisco perched on the arm of Iris' chair, sitting almost protectively over her, keeping a smile on her face as she talked to Wally. Joe looked shell shocked, staring at his son and shaking his head.
By the time the clock hit 9, a slightly inebriated Jay excused himself home. Caitlin let Barry stretch across the couch and tuck his head into her lap, his tired body wanting to shut down much earlier then last year. Cisco thought that he should leave, too, but Iris gave him a look and he stayed by her side.
Joe and Wally moved to the kitchen to get to know each other a little more, talking in hushed voices as they went. Caitlin found Barry's head resting more and more in her lap, and when she looked down next, he was asleep.
"He ok?" Cisco asked, jutting his chin at his friend.
"Yeah, I think so." Caitlin said softly, running her fingers through Barry's hair. "He just needs time to heal, and you know how he is. When there's a meta around, he runs himself raw trying to make sure they don't hurt anyone else. It's been a long day."
"That it has." Iris sighed heavily, scooting over to give Cisco room. He slid down the arm of the chair until they were squished together in it, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Caitlin sighed contentedly, letting the warmth of Barry's body seep of her legs. She felt nicely drowsy, and could probably fall asleep right here, quite happily.
Iris curled up in her chair, and shut her eyes, and Caitlin followed her lead. When Joe and Wally came back into the room, the former going to take the latter home, they were greeted by the sight of four sleeping young adults, worn out from life, but taking comfort in each other and Christmas.
Author's Note: Aw, I liked that one a lot :) The Christmas ones are the best.
Sooooo... I need to know: What would you guys think about me making Iris and Cisco an item? I just feel so bad for both of them... they don't have significant others, and also, since I'm not really going to do season 3, Gypsy won't be a problem...
Tell me what you think!
