Barry and Joe had decided to take the girls to the precinct, something the two of them enjoyed immensely. They got to see their favorite officers and be doted on by everyone at the precinct. Caitlin and Cisco decided to stay back and get some grocery shopping done for Joe since his food was dwindling down rapidly, what with feeding an extra five mouths.
Once they got to the store, Caitlin pulled out the list she had written down that morning and looked at Cisco.
"It'd be easier if we tackle this list by dividing it into two parts and each of us handle the part we're designated," Caitlin said. Cisco bit his lip.
"I don't know Cait…" he trailed off and looked at her pointedly.
Caitlin sighed.
"For heaven's sake, Cisco, we're in a grocery store. Do you seriously think Jay is going to be hiding behind the produce section, waiting to ambush me?" Caitlin asked exasperatedly and Cisco nodded his head after another moment's deliberation.
"Alright, but keep your cell phone on you and meet me back here in twenty minutes," he muttered and Caitlin nodded her head in understanding. Knowing that Cisco was serious about the allotted time frame he had given her, Caitlin tore her list in half, giving the top half to Cisco before waving in farewell.
"I'll meet you back here in twenty minutes," she reassured him before making her way to the deli.
After looking at the assorted meats and selecting a few to take home, Caitlin began navigating her way through the aisles, careful to avoid bumping into anyone.
Trips to the grocery store with Liv and Charlie usually resulted in chaos and she found herself missing them. Smiling slightly, she continued to walk up and down the aisles, taking things off the shelves as she meticulously went down her list.
Caitlin paused at the end of the bread aisle, deliberating between two loaves when she felt someone bump into her basket. Getting ready to apologize for being in the way, Caitlin glanced up and felt her heart fall out of her stomach.
"Well, well, well, what have we here?" And it was the voice that used to haunt her every dream. Swallowing thickly, she glanced into the eyes of the monster who had wreaked so much havoc on her life.
"Jay," she muttered, muscles locking in place. He smiled at her as he looked her up and down, drinking in everything about her.
"Are you following me?" Caitlin hissed, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice.
Jay laughed darkly and it was enough to send a chill down her spine.
"No, sweetheart, I'm merely grocery shopping, such as yourself. I am a free man, after all," he replied and Caitlin trembled.
"Well, don't let me keep you," she muttered and went to push around him but he grabbed her elbow, locking her in place. She felt her heartrate spike up and refused to make eye contact with him.
"It's been a long ten years, Cait," he murmured lowly into her ear and she felt her breathing hitch.
"I've had a lot of time to think about what I would say to you once I got out," he added and she jerked her arm free.
"Leave me alone," she growled, determined to not let him get the upper hand. He smirked.
"Tell the girls, I say hello," he chuckled and Caitlin stared at him.
"Come anywhere and I mean, anywhere, near my family and you'll have me to answer to," she snapped and Jay raised an eyebrow.
"You've gotten quite the bark over the years, haven't you sweetheart?" Jay asked amusedly.
"Don't. Call. Me. That." Caitlin ground out through clenched teeth.
Jay merely shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly.
"Whatever you say," he replied softly.
Jay stepped back and pushed his basket around hers', giving Caitlin some room to breathe.
"I'll be seeing you soon, Caitlin," Jay whispered before strolling passed her. Heart hammering madly in her ears, Caitlin watched his retreating form until he had turned the corner and disappeared.
Not caring for one second about her groceries, Caitlin turned around and booked it back to the location she was supposed to be meeting Cisco at. She saw him standing there, looking at his watch with a frown.
Glancing up, his frown swapped for a smile.
"I was about to call out a search part- Caitlin? What's wrong?" Cisco demanded after getting a good look at her. Trembling, she latched onto his arm, taking deep, steadying breaths.
"It's okay," Cisco murmured soothingly as he allowed her to squeeze his arm.
She glanced around in paranoia before looking back at Cisco.
"I just talked to Jay," she whispered and she felt Cisco's arm tense.
"You what?" Cisco snapped and she winced at the frustration in his tone but ploughed on.
"He was here, cornered me on the bread aisle," she explained as her heart continued to thump unevenly against her rib cage.
"He's following you?" Cisco demanded and Caitlin shrugged.
"Even if he is, we can't prove it. He's got every right to be in a grocery store.
"True, but he doesn't have every right to send you letters and throw bricks through my window," Cisco clarified and Caitlin nodded her head.
"Let's just go," she pleaded and Cisco nodded his head.
"Alright," he soothed and looped his arm through hers'. Completely forgetting about his basket, he led them out of the grocery store and straight to his car, eyes sweeping the parking lot the entire time. Caitlin kept her head down as she let him navigate their way.
"Where are we headed? We can't go back to Joe's by ourselves," she muttered and Cisco nodded his head.
"I know. We're going to the precinct. Follow up with Joe on how the restraining order is coming along. With any luck, we'll have it by this evening and this all will soon be a nightmare of the past," Cisco replied and Caitlin snorted. If it were only that easy.