Caitlin laughed at something Barry said and Iris watched in a mixture of happiness and jealousy. It had been a long time since she heard anyone but herself be able to make Barry that happy, and she knew her best friend was slipping from her. She watched on to see Barry nudge Caitlin in the arm, smiling happily and sighed. She knew she needed to talk to her best friend, talk to him about where they were sitting. She just didn't want to push him away.

Clearing her head of the thoughts, she walked up to them, smiling softly as she did so.

"Caitlin, you mind if I steal this guy away from you for a bit?" Iris asked and Caitlin shook her head.

"Nope, I've been greedy with him," she acknowledged before smiling and damn, if that didn't make Iris more frustrated. She was the only one who was allowed to be greedy with Barry and have all of his time. Smiling tightly, she nodded her head.

"Thanks," she said before directing Barry out of the cortex.

"Where are we going?" Barry asked after they were out of the cortex and on their way out of the building.

"To talk," Iris muttered, knowing she had a few things to say. Barry just nodded his head and let her lead the way.

Once they made it to Jitters and had ordered their coffee, Iris led him to a table in the back. After gathering her thoughts, she glanced up at Barry.

"So, you and Caitlin?" Iris asked, working hard to not let any bitterness creep into her voice. Barry frowned.

"There is no "me and Caitlin"," he said and she resisted the temptation to roll her eyes.

"Barry, that woman is absolutely smitten with you and I'm pretty sure you feel the same way," she sighed. She watched as Barry's cheeks turned a rosy red and frowned.

"No she's not," he muttered.

"Do you want her to be?" Iris asked softly and his frown intensified.

"Why are you asking me this, Iris?" Barry replied.

Iris thought over her words carefully before replying.

"I miss you," she said quietly and Barry laughed quietly, surprised.

:"Iris, we see each other every day," he said gently but she shook her head.

"No, we see each other every day at the cortex. It's not the same," she insisted and Barry frowned.

"Iris West, are you jealous?" Barry asked incredulously and Iris blinked.

"Jealous?" Iris scoffed.

Barry nodded his head. "That's what I asked, isn't it?"

"You're going to have to elaborate a little further. Jealous of what, exactly?" Iris asked.

"Of the fact that I'm no longer able to just spend time with you," Barry replied gently.

Iris shook her head adamantly before noticing the look on Barry's face and sighing.

"Fine, maybe a little," she muttered and Barry laughed gently.

"You have no reason to be jealous. You're still my best friend," he assured and how she wished she could believe that.

"Caitlin also seems to be your best friend," she sighed and Barry looked at her.

"Iris, you have to understand that I do have a lot in common with Caitlin; we're both scientists," he added desperately but Iris wished that was all there was to it.

"I think it's a little more than scientific interests that have you both smiling at each other," she said, hating herself for having this conversation but knowing it needed to be discussed at the same time.

"Let's say for arguments' sake you're right, why does that bother you so much? I thought you'd be happy for me," Barry mumbled and Iris sighed.

"I am," she agreed gently, "however, I just miss you.

Barry nodded his head.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around more," he muttered apologetically and Iris felt her heart clench. Here she was, making him feel guilty for spending time with other people and for what reason? Because she was afraid she was losing her best friend? She shook her head.

"No, Barry, I'm sorry for making such a big deal out of this," she replied softly. She squeezed his hand comfortingly.

"I'm happy you're making new friends, truly, I just felt like I was being forgotten in the process," she added and Barry was quick to shake his head.

"Just because I'm making new friends doesn't mean I'll forgot about my old ones," he replied earnestly.

She thought over his words for a moment before nodding.

"Okay," she agreed lightly, knowing it was as good as she was going to get.

"Now, tell me more about your crush on Caitlin," she said with a laugh.

"I-I don't have a crush on Caitlin," he muttered, turning red.

"Barry Allen, I've known you practically my whole life, so don't you dare lie to me about this," she chided and Barry looked up ashamed.

"Sorry," he said and she shook her head.

"How long have you liked her?" Iris asked gently and from there the conversation turned into how long he had like her and what exactly it was about her that he liked. About his fears about someone hurting her to get to the Flash, about how he wanted to ask her on a date but felt as if she still needed the time to heal from Ronnie.

Iris listened as best she could, hoping the pang of jealously she felt would simmer down. After all, this was her best friend. She should be happy for him, right? Sighing, she knew it wasn't that easy but was going to try her damnedest to not let anything jeopardize her relationship with Barry, including herself.

Author's note: Heth! Here you go!