Caitlin worked tirelessly that week. Going to sleep at odd hours, sleeping for maybe an hour or two, and downing coffee like it was water. She knew her messed up sleeping pattern would catch up to her, something Barry tried to gently reinforce.
"Babe, you need to take a break and breath," Barry murmured to her as she was standing at the location they were on. Ever since seeing the photos, he had made it his mission to be at every photoshoot with her, no matter how demanding they were. She looked at him.
"I can't Barry, I have to reshoot this outfit four more times before I can finally call it a night," she muttered, forcing her tired eyes to stay open by drinking her third cup of coffee in less than an hour. Barry sighed as he placed his palm gently against her cheek and she nuzzled into the touch.
"James will understand if you need to call it an early night; he likes to make sure his models are taking care of themselves," Barry reminded her softly and she thought about it. On the one hand, coffee wasn't keeping her awake but on the other, she could drink another two cups and push through until sunrise, then sleep until the photo gallery her and Barry were supposed to go to the next night. Sighing, she shook her head and went and refilled her cup.
"Four more shots and then I'm done," she said quietly and Barry studied her for a long moment, fingers tracing gently over the bags she knew were circling her eyes. Eventually, he nodded his head.
"Four more, baby," he whispered and Caitlin kissed him softly before walking back to the set. James took the reshoots and it lasted for about an hour, and, finally. Caitlin was ready to go home. She sighed as she went to go change into her jeans and t-shirt, slipping her sweater on over her top. After slipping her feet back into her converse, she met Barry back at the front of the studio, said a quick goodbye to James, and they headed out.
"Let me have your keys, sweetheart," Barry stilled her with a hand to her wrist and she blinked.
"My keys? What for?" Caitlin asked in confusion and he smiled slightly.
"You're dead on your feet and I don't want to risk you driving. Since we rode together, we don't have a car to pick up tomorrow and you can sleep on the way back to your apartment," he murmured and she nodded her head, after debating for a moment.
"Alright," she whispered and passed him her keys. Once they got situated in her car, Barry looked at her, thumbing his finger across her cheekbone.
"Sleep, alright, baby?" Barry requested and, too tired to disagree, she simply closed her eyes and surrendered to her tiredness.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A soft nudge brought Caitlin back to consciousness.
"Hmm?"
"We're here baby. C'mon, let's get you into your studio and in bed," Barry murmured and she nodded her head as she blinked her eyes open, trying to rid them of any sleep. They climbed out of her car and made their way into her complex.
Robert wasn't on shift but there was the other doorman who worked the night shift and Caitlin knew him, too, by name.
"Hey, Dave," Caitlin smiled sleepily.
"Ah, Ms. Snow! A package came for you while you were away. Would you like to sign for it now or later?" Dave asked and Caitlin hesitated, torn between the desire to go to bed but also curious as to what this package was and if it was anything like the last one she received. Nodding her head, she followed Dave to the front desk and signed for the package before accepting it and going back to Barry, who was frowning.
"If that's in any relation to the last package you received, I want you to call the police, alright, Caitlin?" Barry asked lowly and she agreed.
Once they made it up to her studio and she had given Pepper all the attention she wanted, Caitlin kicked off her shoes and made her way to her couch before opening the package with a shaking hand. Inside were pictures but they weren't recent ones. They were –
"Barry, these are from my modeling days in college. When I first started modeling," Caitlin said quietly, realization dawning on her.
"Who's ever been sending me the photos has been watching my career since the beginning," she deduced. She looked for a note but this time, there was none.
"No note but each picture has a little W in the corner. I don't know what it stands for," Caitlin sighed and Barry looked at the pictures before running a hand over his face.
"Cait, I think you have a stalker."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After she finally convinced him that she'd be alright in her own bedroom, Barry retired to the couch, determined to be near her just in case. She stayed up in bed for a long time, no matter how tired she was initially. She thought over all the people she knew, trying to deduce if any of them had stalking mannerisms. Coming up empty, she too decided to call it a night, but knew what little rest she'd get would be poor.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, Caitlin woke to her eyes burning. She knew it was the lack of sleep finally taking its toll on her but instead of trying to get anymore sleep, she got up when she heard movement in her living room. Throwing on her sweater over her tank top and yoga pants, Caitlin made her way out into the living room where Barry was, again, rifling through the photos. He looked up as she entered the room and frowned.
"I was hoping you'd still be asleep, sweetheart," he murmured but she shook her head as she went to go make a pot of coffee. Once it was brewed, she called Barry into the kitchen so he could grab a cup, as well.
"What are you thinking?" Caitlin asked him as they sipped their coffees.
"That I want you to call the police," he replied seriously.
"Barry, I don't think -," she began but he interrupted her.
"Don't argue with me on this, Cait. Please," he said softly and she took in his expression. It was worried with a hint of anger but Caitlin knew he wasn't angry at her. Sighing, she nodded her head.
"I'll call them this morning," she murmured, determined to get some control back over her life.
