Before you guys continue reading on I just want to give a massive shout out to everyone following and reading this story. You guys are the best pirates… it is okay to call you guys pirates right? Since we are sailing with this Snowbarry ship and all…. Anyhoooo…. Happy reading and comment etc. and I'll talk to ya all in the next few chapters to come.
(P.S sorry for the out of the blue title change, I just thought it would be more fitting for the story I'm trying to portray.) Sorry for the Felicity ramble. That's all folks.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Flash nor its characters.
Caitlin's POV
Caitlin woke up soaking in sweat. Her chest was heaving, Caitlin propped up on her elbows trying to catch her breath. She had another dream about Ronnie. The night the particle accelerator exploded. Next to her Barry lay unconscious in a deep sleep. She was surprised she didn't wake him with all the thrashing she must have been doing in her sleep. Not wanting to wake him up Caitlin gently slid out of bed and made her way across the open space to the sofa in the middle of the apartment. Glancing across the room to the alarm clock on the bedside table red 6.45am. It was still early and out of the window in front of her the sun was beginning to rise over the buildings. Instead of re-join Barry in bed she decided to stay and watch the sunrise. Besides it wasn't like she'd be able to sleep again she thought as curled up on the sofa watching as the sun began to wake up Central City.
Barry's POV
*At S.T.A.R Labs*
Barry arrived at S.T.A.R Labs after spending the morning with his family. Now it was just right that he'd spend the rest of it with the people who have become like his second or third family. Barry had an extra bounce in his step as he glided through the doors of the cortex.
"Merry Christmas!" he bellowed as he gave Dr. Wells a hearty handshake, Cisco a hi-five and Caitlin a lingering embrace.
Stepping back from his family Barry pulled around a bag filled with small gifts for his friends.
"Here's a small token of my gratitude after everything you guys have done for me this year." he smiled warmly to all three of them, handing each of them a small roughly wrapped gift.
"I think I speak on behalf of my colleagues when I say… You have been a gift for us all Barry." Dr. Wells smiled thanking him for the present.
Barry couldn't contain his joy. He lit up like the very Christmas tree he had helped decorate this morning. From the same bag Barry pulled out a large flask.
"What's that?" Cisco asked curiously as he began to shake his gift close to his ear.
"This is compliments of Iris. Grandma Ester's famous Egg nog!" Barry beamed holding up the flask as a highly prized possession.
"Maybe later for me. I don't want to drink and drive." Dr. Wells said as he rolled out of the room.
Looking back at Cisco and Caitlin, he noticed how their faces fell.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No… It's this just used to be his favourite time of the year. But the accident happened before Christmas. So, it kind of ruined the holidays." Cisco said.
"I think I'm going to get him a present. Maybe that will cheer him up." Caitlin suggested.
"Thank you very much." She added indicating to the present in her hands. Stepping forward Barry watched as Caitlin leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek just as Cisco left to get some cups. Caitlin had stepped back as Cisco returned.
"Let's crack that baby open!" He beamed as he returned.
Caitlin's POV
It was early in the afternoon when Caitlin finished at the city's shopping mall. It was crazy for her to think that if she got in early that everything would still be quiet. And boy that was a total underestimation. It was a couple days until Christmas. Of course the shopping centre would be filled with crazy manic strangers fighting for the last present on the shelf. Caitlin was surprised she was able to escape that warzone with all her clothes still in perfect condition. With all her shopping done for the holidays, Caitlin exited into the surprisingly deserted mall parking lot. As the elevators opened to her car floor Caitlin finished her phone call with Cisco.
"It was that or a Steven Hawkings jersey… and we both know how Dr. Wells feels about that." she laughed over the phone.
"Cool, well I'll talk to you later Cisco."
Hanging up her phone, Caitlin fished her keys out of her bag. As she paced to where her car was parked, the hairs on the back of her neck stuck up. A sudden surge of awareness shot through her body. Feeling as though she wasn't alone, she scanned the area around her, finding that there was no one around. Shrugging it off, she continued towards her car. As she reached the vehicle, she slid in her key into the car door when the sudden silhouette of a tall, broad figure appeared in the reflection of her car window. Her first thought went to Ronnie? But it couldn't be right? Ronnie was dead she reminded herself. Spinning on her heel, Caitlin turned to see the man gone but the distant footsteps urged her to follow the sound. Rounding the corner she snuck a quick glance of a hooded figure turning around the other side, she quickened her pace… her need to know speeding her after the stranger. Rounding the corner, Caitlin stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of the strangers back facing her. Her heart began to quicken as she caught sight of him. Could this really be Ronnie? She questioned herself.
Unsure of what to say, Caitlin was frozen. Her heart pounding, she drew in a sharp breath as the man before shifted his weight between each leg. Watching him Caitlin felt as though he was anxious. Maybe uncomfortable. The thought that this guy could be a dangerous druggy in need of his next fix hadn't really crossed her mind until now. Swallowing hard, Caitlin began to step back. Suddenly the guy burst into controlled flames. Caitlin watched in shock as he slowly turned around. Through the flames of yellow and red Caitlin knew instantly who it was. There was no denying it. Ronnie. Her mouth dried up. She was speechless. It was if all the air in her lungs had been sucked out dry, she couldn't breathe. The sheer sight of him she felt her heart drop. He was alive. Feeling queasy and a little frightened Caitlin drew back slowly before she turned back towards the way she came back around. Turning a corner, Caitlin collapsed against the concrete wall trying to find support in the building's structure. Out of everything that she has seen this past year, she never thought that her dead fiancée would be one of the. Leaning against the wall she wondered what the hell she was going to do now.
Barry's POV
After leaving S.T.A.R Labs this morning, Barry's phone rang alerting him that his day job beckoned him to get to work at Mercury Labs. Inside the large industrial floor of Mercury Labs, Barry was kneeling down assessing the massacre in front of him.
"Hey, what you thinking?" Joe called out as he made his way over.
Barry rose from his feet meeting Joe's eyes.
"Just looking at the blood spatter patterns and trajectory of the remains, only a high speed collision could have done this. But to cause this damage to a human in this space…. Whatever hit them had to be fast." Barry stated over the facts.
Looking back down at the poor security guards, Barry could only figure that this crime was not humanly possible but metahuman possible. Suddenly Eddie's voice calling out to him and Joe caught his attention.
"Get this. All the witness saw was a blur. Sound familiar?" he said with a sly smile.
Eddie was leading a new task force focused on solely apprehending the scarlet speedster apparently causing mayhem in the city. At by the look on Eddie's face Barry figured, Eddie was ready to implicate the Flash… him for this crime. But he definitely knew it wasn't him. He was with Caitlin all night. It couldn't be. Catching Joe's eye, both of them brushed past Eddie and paced over to the shaken witness.
"You saw a blur? What was it?" Barry probed with his urgency to know trickling into his voice.
"Whatever it was… it was looking for something." He answered.
Barry needed more. He needed to know that what he was thinking wasn't just a coincidence.
"Wh-what did it look like?" He pushed more eagerly.
"Like a man. In some kind of yellow suit." He stammered.
"Okay." He whispered.
Barry's heart began to race. He's back. This was his chance he thought. Barry's head cleared all he could think of was catching the man in yellow. This could be it. He needed to go check over his files. His mind racing as fast as his heart, Barry moved back eager to get back to CCPD and go over everything he knows and has just learnt.
"Barry!" Joe called to him.
"I have to check my files."
"Barry." Joe pulled Barry to stop.
"No. Joe. You heard him. The man who killed my mum… his back!" he loudly whispered.
"I know. He's been in town for a few weeks now. He paid me a visit to me at the house. He took all the evidence from your mum's case. The files are gone." He finished.
Wait. What? Barry couldn't believe what Joe had just said. How and why hadn't Joe told him. Barry stepped back hurt. How could Joe keep this from him?
"Why wouldn't you tell me sooner?"
"I couldn't."
Barry was astonished. He was furious. Out of all things he couldn't believe that the man who raised him. Could keep information about man who killed his mum from him. Barry's chest tightened in anger.
"Why?!" he raised his voice.
"Because he threatened to kill Iris." He said silencing Barry.
Barry's face fell. Suddenly all the anger he felt towards Joe at that very moment eased away at the reason why. What were they going to do was all he could think of.
Caitlin's POV
After her encounter with Ronnie, Caitlin gathered up the courage to return and confront him. When she returned he was gone. Caitlin looked around her, scanning the area trying to figure out the direction he could have gone. Damn it. She said mentally kicking herself for letting him get away. Staggering back to her car, Caitlin slid in placing both hands on the steering wheel. Staring blankly out the windshield she tried to figure out how to she was going to find him again. She had no clue where to start. Caitlin let her head fall to the steering wheel. Ugh. Suddenly the memory of reading about a "man who's body burst in to flames" came to mind. Iris. Starting her engine Caitlin backed out of the car parking lot and zoomed her way over to Jitters.
Caitlin remembered that upon reading Iris's blog a few months ago, she had posted something about a man in flames. That had to be about Ronnie. It was a long shot but Iris was the only lead she had. Pushing the door open into Jitters, the bell above the door rang out at her arrival. Caitlin was suddenly welcomed with a rush of warm air. She hadn't realized she'd been so cold. Walking further into the room, she caught sight of Iris serving customers at a table in the middle of the room.
"Iris?!" she called out eagerly.
"Hey, Caitlin! What are you doing here?" she smiled up warmly at her.
"Well… I didn't sleep well last night."
"Me neither." Iris sighed out in agreement.
"Um… so I was catching up on your blog and a story caught my eye… about a man whose head and hands burst into flames?" Caitlin jumped right in.
"The burning man" she replied in recognition.
"Yeah" she sighed in relief that talking to Iris paid off.
"I haven't really updated that story in a while… but there are some reports that I can send you." She offered.
"That would be great. Thank you." Caitlin returned with a kind smile.
"While you're here. Can I ask you something? Girl to girl?" Caitlin looked at her quizzically but nodded a yes.
"Barry's been acting different around me lately. Like his keeping some sort of secret from me. But it's not a secret. I know his dating someone and he won't tell me who! Is there anything you know that I should know about?"
Caitlin choked a bit causing her to cough in surprise at the realization that she was trying to figure out who Barry was dating… which was her.
Clearing her throat and regaining her equilibrium she answered.
"Not that I can think of…" she lied.
"However, if you feel that Barry's keeping something from you… you should probably just ask him yourself." She finished badly wanting to get out of here.
"Yeah thanks." She smiled.
"Of course. Well I'm going to get caffeine."
Caitlin used the finality of their conversation to make her quick getaway to the counter. She badly needed the caffeine or maybe some of Grandma Ester's famous Egg nog if she was going to get through this week.
Barry's POV
Barry followed Joe back to S.T.A.R Labs where the team were called in to be debriefed on what they learned about the man in yellow.
"The witness described seeing a yellow blur. Just like the one that killed Barry's mother." Joe rehashed.
"Then we need to get cracking and stop this speed psycho…" Cisco added popping a half-eaten candy cane in his mouth.
"That… I wasn't trying to give him a name." he mumbled in defence.
"The crime scene at mercury labs was on a floor with highly secured vaults and the witness said he was looking for something." Barry added.
"Whatever it was he wanted badly enough to kill for it." Wells
"Doctor, what do you know about this Mercury Labs?" Joe
"Mercury Labs was star labs major competitor until our little set back and then "clap" catapulted to the forefront led by Dr Christine McGee… brilliant but egocentric physicist." Wells
"Says here that Dr McGee has secured half a billion dollars in private funding to develop and I quote, prototypes for the technology of the future." Cisco
"Well ill be! Tina's messing with tacions. Super luminal particles" wells
"Of course… so what could someone do with those-" Joe prompted for the word with his hands.
"Tacions." Wells' stated.
"Thank you."
"Well, I don't know… become invincible. You could devise a matrix stable enough to harness power." Wells paused before continuing.
"You could travel faster than light." His eyes lit up as he finished.
Unable to sit still listening anymore, Barry pushed out of the chair, stepping forward towards his colleagues and friends.
"He's going to try and get them again. So we need to get what Mercury Labs have and use it as a lure." Barry ordered fed up with them just sitting around and doing nothing.
"You're exactly right. Cisco. Caitlin. Let's start engineering up a trap." Wells instructed, wheeling out of the room.
"You got it" Cisco nodded
"Of course" Caitlin whispered.
Barry looked over at Caitlin, he hadn't noticed with everything going on but she seemed so quiet. He knew something was bothering her but he couldn't put his finger on it. His eyes studying her for a long moment, Barry sense she seemed to be avoiding him. Although he wanted to know what was bothering her, Joe was calling him over so they could head back to the CCPD. He guessed he'd have to wait to find out, and it bugged him.
Caitlin's POV
Caitlin snuck away from Cisco and Dr Wells. She needed a break. She needed to think. What was she going to do? She needed to tell Barry. But how? It's not like you could just bring it up in general conversation like hey honey how was your day fighting against the big bad man in yellow oh great well you know my dead fiancée well he isn't so dead.
Caitlin sighed, shoving her head into her hands. This wasn't going to end well either way.
Sitting on the treadmill alone in the dark, Caitlin raised her head focusing on the sound of knocking on the open door.
"You okay?" a familiar voice rang out through the darkness.
At the moment the lights switched on momentarily blinding her. Readjusting her eyes, her focus came to land on her best friend Cisco stepping into the room.
"Ronnie's alive! I saw him Cisco. I think he was following me-"
Cisco came to sit down beside her, curling an arm around her shoulder. He must think she's crazy. Hell she thinks that maybe what she saw wasn't real.
"Caitlin Ronnie died. He was vaporised in the accelerator when it went critical." He said his voice heavy with guilt and regret.
"RONNIE… is alive. And his out there alone and scared. And I need your help to find him." she pleaded with him as she turned to face him, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
*Later that day*
Caitlin wasn't sure if Cisco would help her, let alone believe her but here they were in an abandoned building roaming its deserted hallways in search for Ronnie. Following closely behind Cisco, Caitlin kept her eyes peeled for any signs of her fiancée. He's got to be here. She cried internally.
"The CPM's are increasing." Cisco whispered in the dark.
"We should of told Dr. Wells and Barry." Caitlin said feeling slightly guilty.
"Not until we're sure it's him." he reasoned her.
"oh wow" he exclaimed he read the readings off the metre.
"Look Ronnie is not like you remembered him" she warned.
"What does that mean?"
"Just don't freak out when you see him okay?" she whispered as they edged further ahead.
"Oh I really wish that was because the batteries were dead." Cisco froze looking down at the reading meter, shaking it for reassurance that it was in fact dead.
Caitlin swallowed; she knew they were close now. He had to be here. Pushing in front of Cisco, Caitlin stepped further down the hollow passage way, her eyes trying to adjust to the dimness of her surroundings.
"Ronnie?" She called out into the nothingness.
Suddenly a figure emerged into view… subtly lit by the light of her phone. It was Ronnie. Caitlin's heart fell when she saw him looking at her. He seemed so lost. Broken. Reaching out, Caitlin approached her fiancée with Cisco closely behind her.
"Ronnie… It's me Cait. Look, I brought Cisco with me. We're here to help you. You were in an accident. Don't you remember?"
"I'm… not… Ronnie…" he answered his voice low and gravelly.
"Yes you are. You're Ronnie Raymond." She pleaded with him to remember.
Extending her hand out to him, Caitlin tried guiding him back to her. But he flinched under her touch backing further away from them.
"I'm not Ronnie! I told you that. Now get away from me" he warned raising his voice.
"Look we need to take you back to star labs we can help you remember who you are."
Caitlin didn't back away. Not like she had before. She moved closer her eyes begging for him to take her hand. Caitlin tried to gauge his reaction but she couldn't seem to get a read on him. This man before her was a different man from the one she lost.
Grabbing her between his hands Caitlin's heart started beating fast. She was scared as Ronnie held her head tightly between his hands drawing he closer before whispering….
"FIRESTORM!"
Yanking himself backwards he burst into a body suit of heat and flames, startling her she stumbled backwards into Cisco. Caitlin felt powerless to do anything. She could only watch as the man she once loved. The man she once knew flew away in a glowing flame.
Barry's POV
*Back at S.T.A.R Labs*
"The traps ready. The tacion device is in place." Cisco stated.
"You think it will work?" Barry asked gripping onto the edge of the desk tighter.
"It will work." Cisco muttered seriously under his breath before turning on his heels and leaving the room.
"So who do we advertise to him that the prototype is here?" Barry eagerly interrogated.
"We'll take care of that." Wells replied crossing his arms over his chest whilst leaning back into his chair.
Barry nodded. After a moment of silence passed Barry looked up noticing the glances between Joe and Wells.
"What's the problem?" Barry straightened up suddenly alert and nervous. If there was something wrong he needed to know about it. And he needed to know now.
"Look… Barry. Me and Dr Wells have spoken and… we think it would be best if you weren't here for this." Joe reiterated to him.
"What are you talking about?" Barry looked between them. Were they crazy? How could the think that he'd just take a back seat in this whole thing?
"You're too close to this." Joe pointed out.
Barry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Were they serious? This was his chance to catch the man that MURDERED his mother and they think his too close to this? Hell of course he was close. This was personal.
"Or maybe you're not close enough. If you hadn't been too scared and warned me that he was here weeks ago… I could have been prepared for this." He argued angrily.
"I think we can all appreciate Joe's concern for Iris Barry." Dr Wells interrupted trying to defuse the going tension in the room.
"That's why I have to be here. I'm the best chance at catching this guy."
"Not right now. Not in this state." Joe state firmly.
"This man… stabbed my mother through the heart and sent my father to prison for it. This is my fight." Barry argued more.
"Not today son." Joe said with finality.
Barry looked at Dr Wells, pleading to let him stay and help but both him and Joe stood their ground firmly. Feeling the anger rise in his chest Barry pushed himself off the desk yanking his coat off the back of the chair he stormed out of the room without a second glance back. Reaching the elevators, Barry pounded the button in frustration.
"Hey you know that pushing the button hard won't make it come up any faster." A familiar and calming voice spoke to him.
Turning around, Barry sighed in the comforting sight of Caitlin poised against the grey marble walls that lined the inside of S.T.A.R Labs.
"Hey." He sighed out in relief.
Catching the sight of her, the storm in Barry's chest seemed to ease away slightly. Looking at her, it seemed like forever since he saw her. He'd been so caught up in the history of his past he hadn't known where the time went. Barry stared at her noticing her quiet posture. It was unlike her. Then the memory of her yesterday morning… she seemed to be avoiding him.
"Hey is everything okay?" He probed closing the distance between them.
"Ummm… yeah." She mumbled back almost inaudible.
As Barry stood inches from her, he gently edged at her chin guiding her face up to look at him.
"Are you sure? You seem a bit distant. Did I do something wrong?" Barry asked searching her eyes.
"Umm I'm okay… there's just something I need to tell yo-"
"Caitlin could come down and help me finish engineering the thingy for the trap" Cisco called over the intercom.
"Hey what did you need to tell me?" He asked again.
"It's nothing. It can wait. Really." She smiled up at him before placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
Before Barry could say another word Caitlin slipped out of his hands and hurried over to where Cisco waited for her.
Caitlin's POV
Caitlin escaped to be alone after using her expertise to help Cisco build the force field. Somehow just walking blindly Caitlin found herself back in the room that has haunted her dreams. Stepping further into the room, Caitlin stared at the familiar walls, taking a deep breath she collapsed onto a raised ledge, curling her knees to her chest.
Silently alone with her own demons Caitlin stared down at her left hand. At her engagement ring. Fidgeting with the ring, Caitlin slipped of the band only to cradle it between her fingers. Unknowingly a drop of water fell to her hand. Sniffling, Caitlin drew up the back of hand, wiping away another tear.
"Hey so the force field is up and running. I ran and triple checked the diagnostics everything should work. Yep it's going to work. It has too work, right?" Cisco entered oblivious.
Her eyes glued to the promise in her hand, Caitlin heard Cisco fall silent as he made his way over to her.
"Caitlin… don't worry. Hey, Now that we know he's out there… we will find Ronnie again." He promised as he glanced down noticing the ring in her hand.
"Why? So we could throw him in there with all the metahuman psychos?" she snapped back instantly regretting what she said.
She didn't mean to snap at him but her emotions were running high and dry today.
"I'm sorry. It's just that I used to play this game… in my head. What would I give up for just one more minute with him? My house? My career? The rest of my life? Today I finally got that minute… and I wish I hadn't. Seeing him like that. What his become…. Oh god I wish he had just died that day." She cried.
Hell was she a terrible person for saying that. Caitlin hated herself for feeling this way. Cisco didn't say anything he just offered his shoulder pulling her into a tight embrace as she let the tears fall.
Barry's POV
After being literally kicked out of S.T.A.R Labs, Barry sighed knowing that Joe and Wells were right. He was too close to this and if it was going to work he needed to step back and let his friends help. Joe was right this wasn't his fight. It was all of theirs. Sure he was fighting for his mother… his father but the rest of the team were fighting for him and that's something he had to keep reminding himself. He wasn't alone in this anymore. Thinking of his mother Barry decided to see his father.
*At Iron Heights*
Barry sat across the glass as he waited for his father to join him. Seeing his father Barry picked up the coiled phone so he could hear the familiar sound of his father's voice.
"Merry Christmas Slugger!" his father cheered.
"Merry Christmas." Barry smiled, however the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"You alright Barry?" his father questioned knowingly.
Barry couldn't share in the same joy. With everything about to go down, he'd be happy once they caught the man in yellow and his father could finally be set free. Barry's face saddened as he stared back at his father through the glass.
"I screwed up dad." He confessed shaking his head as he let his head bow.
"After years of searching I finally found him. I found the man who killed mum. The man in yellow. The man in the lightning… he's out there and I had him." Barry sighed averting his dads eyes before continuing.
"He got away." He whispered ashamed.
"I was so close... I promised you I'd get you out of here. Every day you spent in here was because of him. Until today. Now you're here because of me and I can't- I'm so sorry." Barry cried pushing his head into his hands.
"Barry…" he said softly.
"Barry this is not your fault. Look at me! I know what you've given up. Every decision you've made in the last fourteen years has been because of me and your mum…. What you studied…. You became a CSI… even with Caitlin..."
"Caitlin?" Barry asked confused.
"I'm your father. You don't think I know how you love her? Every time you visit you talk about her. You have something real with her and you love her so you need to let this go now Barry. Hear me now. The man in the yellow suit he has taken enough from us already. Don't let him take anymore." He advises his son with whole hearted conviction.
Barry just stared as his father. He admired him so much. He had strength and heart like no one he has ever seen. He was his hero. Suddenly the buzzing caught his attention. Drying his tears with his hand Barry pulled out his phone seeing an S.O.S from Caitlin. Fear igniting every cell in his body Barry shot up from his chair.
"I'm sorry dad… I have to go."
Caitlin's POV
Running a continuous diagnostics test on the trap, Caitlin was able to monitor everything with Cisco back up in the cortex. As Caitlin watched the live feed she couldn't believe how fast everything happened. One minute the Reverse Flash was securely trapped in the force field and now he was gone. Caitlin jumped out of her chair as she saw Dr Wells lay immobilised and hurt in the middle of the trap.
"How the hell?" Cisco yelled.
Caitlin snapped her head over to Cisco who was typing furiously at the keyboard trying to figure out what happened. Pulling out her phone Caitlin instinctively sent an S.O.S text message to Barry. The sudden silence of tapping drew Caitlin's attention to Cisco running out the room. Dropping her phone Caitlin raced after him. Pushing open the emergency exit Caitlin stumbled into Cisco, pushing her to stop in her tracks.
"Cisco what the hell?" her voice trailed off as she followed Cisco's gaze to the thundering sounds of lightning and the tornado of red and yellow that sparked ahead of them.
Barry. Caitlin stepped forward but was held back by Cisco who held out his arm in front of her making her stay put. Her pulse started to race as she watch Barry and the Reverse Flash spar. Every fibre in her body wanted to go out to him but Cisco held her back. Suddenly the flash of colours seized and Barry was thrown backwards into the ground.
"BARRY?!" she screamed.
Shoving Cisco's hand aside Caitlin took a step forward about to race over to him when streaks of fire knocked the Reverse Flash back. Ronnie.
Caitlin continued her race to Barry, feeling Cisco stagger after her. Kneeling over him, Caitlin placed a hand over his chest. She needed to make sure it was still beating and sighed in relief when she felt its steady beats drum under her touch.
"Our race is not done."
Caitlin had forgotten that the Reverse Flash was still there and was startled when he stood heaving in anger only a few feet away before vanishing in a Flash of red. As Cisco reached them, Caitlin stood leaving Barry in the care of Cisco.
Caitlin walked over to Ronnie. She didn't know what to say. Why was he here? Was all she could think of. Caitlin just watched as he stared down at her.
"Don't look for me again."
And without another word he had left her again.
Barry's POV
After facing off with the Reverse Flash, Barry was kicking himself. How could he get away? This was his one chance to get his dad out of prison and he screwed it up. Thinking about what his dad said earlier, Barry knew beating himself up wasn't going to get him anywhere. If he was going to keep his promise to his dad he had to focus his time and energy into going faster. And that's what he was going to do. But tonight he wasn't going to let the man in yellow take anything more away from him. He was going to celebrate Christmas with those closest to him. His family.
*The West's House*
Stepping in after Joe and out of the cold, Barry shivered peeling out of his coat allowing the warmth of the roaring fire warm his skin. Turning to hang his coat up he saw more familiar faces filling up the living room.
"Hey!" Cisco jumped up with a Santa's hat on.
"What are you guys doing here?" he beamed back.
"I invited them. Where's Dr Wells?" Joe asked Caitlin and Cisco.
"Um he wasn't feeling yp to a social gathering but he appreciated the invitation. Egg nog?" Caitlin replied offering to join Joe in grabbing a few glasses for the rest of the party.
"Merry Christmas Barry!" Eddie called from across the room. Barry walked over to the couple cozied up close by the fire.
"Merry Christmas guys… so I heard you were moving in together. Congratulations! I'm happy for you both." He said sincerely.
"Thanks Bar."
Barry leaned back as Iris got up calling her dad back into the living room.
"Dad it's time!"
Rounding to the back of the couch Barry stood close by Caitlin so close he could feel the warmth of her skin radiate into his body. Both of them watched a West tradition as Joe picked up the star placing it high on the peak of the tree before turning on the switch making the tree light up with all its colour and magic.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Joe bellowed with joy.
Whilst everyone shouts out a Merry Christmas, Barry took the opportunity to sneak Caitlin away for a moment in private. Slinking his hand into hers Barry leaned in close to her ear.
"Follow me… I want to show you something." He whispered letting his ear linger close before pulling her back slowly up stair and into his old bedroom.
Holding the bedroom door open for her, Caitlin stepped in looking around in complete amazement. Barry followed her in shutting the door behind him before sitting down on the bed beside her. Barry opened his mouth about to speak when Caitlin silenced him by speaking first.
"I'm sorry." She said.
"I'm sorry that he got away again." Her eyes were soft and sincere as she looked at him.
"It's not your fault. But if you were going to apologize for anything we could start with how Ronnie's still alive?" he replied arching his eyebrows and a smile playing on the sides of his lips.
"I know I should of told you but you had a lot going on with the Reverse Flash and I didn't want to add this to stuff you needed to worry about. I know it's no excuse but once I saw what Ronnie had become... I needed time to see if I could make him whole again. I'm sorry. I know you're mad." She said adverting his gaze and dropping her eyes to her lap where she fidgeted with the hem of her dress.
"I know it's not fair on you and-" she tried apologizing.
"Cait stop- I'm not mad. I don't know what I would of done differently in your situation but there's just one thing I need to know."
"Anything."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes I do. I love you Barry Allen."
"Well that's all I need to know."
Sliding her closer to him Barry leaned in close, his lips meeting hers half the distance between them both. The touch of his kiss was gentle, at first, the kiss firm but sure. Tracing the outline of her lips, she exhaled a sudden breath, and his hand moved to the small of her back, driving her closer to him. She opened her mouth to his tongue; deepening the kiss Barry tilted her head back, eager for more.
Pulling away, both of them were breathless. Knowing that if they didn't get back down people would start wondering where they were if they weren't already. Jumping off the bed, Barry held his hand out for Caitlin.
As her hand slid into his, Barry turned but was abruptly pulled back down to the bed laying on her.
"As much as I want to stay up here with you, my family's downstairs." He played.
"I know this will be quick."
Barry looked at her arching up an eyebrow. Caitlin playfully smacked him in the chest.
"Not like that. I wanted to give you your present." She smiled.
"So… where is it?" Barry asked curiously.
Barry waited as Caitlin pulled up her arm between them. Propping himself up on his elbow so he hovered over her, Barry used his free hand to examine her hand. He turned her hand this way and that. There was nothing there. Barry stared past her hands and back down at her.
"Umm" he said confused.
"There's nothing there?" he said a bit deflated.
"Exactly. I know I should of told you about Ronnie, but after seeing him today… I realized that he isn't the same man I lost. The man I knew died the night the accelerator exploded. Today, I finally let it go… I let my past go because you Barry... are my present and future and I love you."
Barry just stared at her in awe. His heart swelled at how much he loved her.
Kissing her finger, Barry knew she was the one for him so he silently vowed that he'd be the last man to put a ring on her finger.
"Best. Present." He beamed.
Leaning down he kissed her once more.
"Merry Christmas Cait."
"Merry Christmas Barry."