Caitlin was released from the hospital the following morning with strict instructions to take it easy over the following week while she recovered. She agreed and Nicole drove them home after they wheeled her to Nicole's car. Once they got home, Caitlin headed straight for her room to get changed into more comfortable clothes after she slipped off her shoes. Once she was in some sweats and a tank top and her sweater, she made her way back downstairs where Nicole handed her a cup of coffee. She smiled gratefully.
"Figured you could enjoy the real thing right about now," Nicole murmured.
"Thanks, Nicole," Caitlin hummed as she took her first sip, relishing in the warm liquid. She made her way to the couch and sat down, stretching out her legs and sighing tiredly.
"Rest, alright? I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything," Nicole said gently and Caitlin nodded her head. Nicole made her way to the kitchen, realizing that Caitlin didn't want or need an audience. Caitlin's mind drifted to the previous evening as she sipped her coffee. She thought over Jay and the party; what he did and how she felt. She knew that there was going to be repercussions, knew Nicole was going to want to press charges. She just wasn't sure if that's what she wanted. Yes, what Jay did was wrong and inexcusable, but she wasn't sure if she had the damn energy to go to court about this. Sighing, she took another sip of coffee as she leaned further back into the pillows. Just then, there was a soft knock at the door and she looked up.
"I'll get that, Cait," Nicole said as she made her way out of the kitchen and towards the door. She heard Nicole chuckle as she opened it.
"Should've known it wouldn't take you long to be here," Nicole said and Caitlin smiled. She knew who it was before she even saw his face. Sure enough, Barry peered at her a moment later and Caitlin shook her head fondly.
"Hello, Barry," she murmured and Barry made his way towards her.
"I'll give you guys some time together," Nicole said. She looked between Barry and Caitlin before smiling slightly.
"But don't worry, I'll be right in the kitchen if you need me for anything," she added and Caitlin wondered why that sounded like a warning. Caitlin tucked her feet underneath her and wordlessly tilted her head towards the empty space on the couch, inviting him to sit down. Barry complied. He looked at Caitlin for a moment, before smiling gently.
"How are you feeling, Cait?" Barry murmured and she thought about it.
"Still a bit tired but less out of it than I did last night at the hospital," she replied truthfully.
"That's good," he said and she hummed. The conversation was left there for a moment and Caitlin took another sip of coffee while she waited. It looked like Barry had more to say and was just choosing his words carefully.
"What are you going to do about Jay?" Barry eventually asked and she thought about it before shrugging a shoulder.
"I'm not sure if I want to do anything at all," she muttered and a frown washed over Barry's face.
"Cait, you can't let him get away with this," he said softly and she sighed.
"I know that. I'm just too exhausted to want to do anything. I just want to finish my senior year in peace," she murmured. Barry thought that over before nodding his head slowly.
"At the very least, he should be kicked off the football team," he said and she agreed.
"I know, I might go to Coach West but I feel like he'll want me to press charges," she said.
"Why don't you let Oliver handle that?" Barry asked and she looked at him curiously.
"What do you mean?" Caitlin asked and he rubbed a hand over his face.
"I've been in contact with Felicity, who's been in contact with Oliver. She said he's mad and thinking of the ways Jay must pay for his actions. He's trying to figure out a way to talk to Coach West without getting your name dragged in," Barry murmured and Caitlin smiled slightly.
"He's a good guy," she said softly and Barry laughed.
"I don't know if I'd go that far," he muttered and Caitlin raised an eyebrow, silently asking him to explain his statement. Barry sighed.
"Look, Cait, he should've been able to prevent this. If him and Felicity weren't so attached to each other, they would've noticed Jay harassing you a lot sooner. They could've intervened before anything happened" he said. Caitlin frowned.
"Please tell me you didn't say anything like that to Felicity," she implored and Barry shook his head quickly.
"Don't worry, I didn't. I wanted to, but I bit my tongue. She didn't need me jumping down her throat," he murmured and Caitlin sighed in relief.
"Thank you, Barry," she murmured and the two friends fell silent. Caitlin watched Barry as she noticed a silent struggle cross over his face. She sensed that he was deliberating on asking her something or not. She placed her hand over his and he looked up.
"What is it, Barry?" Caitlin asked softly and he sighed.
"I'm…just wondering if there is someone back in London, waiting for you? I need to know if we need to call them and let them know what happened," he muttered and Caitlin thought about it before exhaling shakily.
"There…used to be someone, but he passed," she muttered and Barry stared at her.
"Come again?" Barry whispered and she sighed.
"Ronnie, my boyfriend, got into a car wreck about six and a half months ago. He didn't make it," she said quietly. Barry stared at her for a long moment before wrapping her in his arms. She tensed for a moment before relaxing and hugged him back.
"God, Cait, I'm sorry," he muttered as he rubbed her back soothingly. She shrugged a shoulder.
"It's okay," she murmured but he shook his head.
"No, it's really not. It's not fair that you've seen so much tragedy in your life and then this had to happen on top of everything else," he said softly. He pulled back and looked at her. Her eyes were red rimmed and she knew she must've looked a little lost.
"You're beautiful when you cry, you know that?" Barry murmured. Caitlin tried to turn her head away when a couple more tears leaked down but he placed his hand gently against her cheek and stilled her.
"No, don't turn away from me," he said quietly and she looked at him. She inhaled deeply.
"Alright," she said softly. She wiped her eyes and sighed. She had almost forgotten what it was like to cry over Ronnie, it had been that long since she let herself. Barry wiped away a few more tears gently and she closed her eyes at the touch. It had been so long since someone had been this gentle with her and with everything that had happened, it was the first time she felt safe. She leaned into his touch once he cradled her cheek again.
"I'm here if you ever need to talk about it," he said and she nodded her head. She knew that.
"I appreciate it, Barry," she murmured and opened her eyes in time to see him smiling softly at her.
They continued to talk for a couple more hours before Nicole come back and he decided it was time to go.
"Cisco and Hartley heard what happened from Felicity and both send their well wishes. Is it alright if I tell them how you're doing?" Barry asked as he stood up. She followed suit as she nodded her head and walked with him to the door.
"That's fine," she said softly. He stared at her for a long moment before hesitantly kissing her cheek. She smiled.
"Get some rest Caitlin, I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"Tomorrow," she replied. She smiled as she shut the door softly and leaned back against it. For once, she wasn't sure what to expect for the future but that didn't leave her afraid, but rather excited. And that? That was good enough for her.
