Caitlin returned to set the following week once her vacation was officially over. With Barry in tow, she knew that things had changed exponentially. She was no longer a sought-out actress; she was the sought-out actress of Hollywood. That title, while being flattering in itself, didn't come without some disadvantages. Monday morning arrived bright and early and, for Caitlin, with insistent knocking on her door.

Open up, Caitlin, it's me -Barry

The pinging of her phone alerted her to a new text and she rolled over in bed, looking at it, before smiling slightly. At least her boyfriend was kind enough to alert her to the fact that it was him instead of just assuming she'd know. (Although, she totally did know). Throwing back the covers, she got out of bed, slipped on her favorite sweatshirt from her college days, and made her way to the door, opening it after checking through the peephole.

"Morning, Barry," she said, smiling warmly at him. He smiled back at her, before walking inside the apartment.

"Morning, baby," he replied, eyes taking in her appearance. Before she had time to feel self-conscious over the fact that she literally looked like she had just rolled out of bed, his grin softened.

"You look radiant in the mornings," he murmured, and her heart melted. He was anything if not smooth.

After a quick kiss, she made her way into her kitchen, turning on her coffee machine and began rummaging through her fridge and cabinets for something to eat. After finding a bagel and some cream cheese that wasn't past it's expiration date, she set about getting their breakfast ready.

"How'd you sleep?" Caitlin asked conversationally as she placed the bagels in the toaster. The coffee pot beeped and she poured herself a cup, along with one for him. Barry, who had decided to make himself useful, was busy getting out the cream and sugar for their coffees. He shrugged.

"Decent enough," he replied, tone betraying no emotion. She stilled her movements before turning to give him an inquisitive look, silently asking him to elaborate. He sighed.

"I would've slept better if we were in the same apartment," he admitted, and it was her turn to sigh.

"Babe, I love that you want to make sure that nothing happens but I have to be able to protect myself," she reminded him softly, knowing that that was the current issue between them. He didn't want her fighting her battles on her own; she didn't want him playing her knight in shining armor.

He made his way towards her, placing his arms on either side of the cabinet she was leaning against.

"What if I want to help you with that?" Barry murmured, breathing fanning over her face tantalizing. Unconsciously, Caitlin leaned closer towards him, chasing after the smell of peppermint that was emanating from him. She knew his cologne like she knew the back of her hand. He smirked and she licked her lips nervously, watching as his eyes followed her tongue. He leaned in as she leaned forward, desperate for infinitely less space between them. He smirked as he realized what she was after.

"And, what about what I want?" Caitlin whispered, acutely aware of just how little space there was left between their bodies.

"And, what might that be?" Barry asked lowly, thumb tracing the top of her lip. Just as she was about to say, 'screw it' and lean in for a kiss, the bagels popped out of the toaster, making her jump slightly.

"Saved by the bagels," she said.

"Don't you mean, "Saved by the Bell"?" Barry questioned, and she chuckled, pushing on his chest lightly to get him to back up a bit and give her space. He acquiesced immediately and with him not in her current bubble, she had room to think as she tended to the bagels.

"A vastly under appreciated show if you ask me," she replied, ignoring the erratic beating of her heart. He laughed.

"Agreed," came the reply.

Caitlin knew they weren't through with whatever it was that had just happened but she wasn't much worried about it. She glanced at her clock, noting the time, and looked at him.

"I've got to go get ready for set," she said, and he nodded.

"I'll make sure Andrew is ready," he replied.

XXX

By the time Barry and Caitlin made it to set, Caitlin had Andrew make a detour for her second latte of the morning. She knew that she was about to start working long shifts again and would need the caffeine boost to help her stay focused. As they made their way across the set's parking lot, Caitlin peeked up at Barry through her eyelashes. Out in the real world, he was her bodyguard. Stoic and stern. She knew what he was like behind closed doors however and it was that thought that eased the ache in her heart at the thought of him not getting to be his true self in public.

When they made it to the studios the film, Before the Lies Become Compulsory, was being filmed in, Caitlin and Barry stopped, looking around. Just then, Caitlin spotted Marcia, the director, walking towards her and grinned.

"Caitlin, babe," Marcia greeted her with a hug; one that Caitlin readily returned.

"Marcia, hi," Caitlin said, thin arms wrapped around the other woman's slender waist.

"You look great," Marcia complimented her, taking in her appearance. Caitlin grinned – she had started taking self-defense classes three days a week with her personal trainer, Jeff, and she knew that her muscles were becoming more prominent; more toned. Marcia eyed Barry who was standing next to them as stoic as ever.

"And, this is the boyfriend, correct?" Marcia asked, and Caitlin bit her lip as Barry frowned heavily.

"First and foremost, I'm her bodyguard, ma'am," he replied, frown sculpted into his features.

Marcia raised her eyebrows in surprise. "If that's your story."

Before Barry could reply, Marcia looked back at Caitlin.

"Well, Caitlin, we need to get you into makeup and then wardrobe. We're filming the final scene today, and then we'll move backwards with the rest of the scenes," Marcia explained, and Caitlin nodded her understanding. She had been in this industry long enough to know that movies often filmed sequences out of order.

"Also," Marcia continued. "They're announcing Emmy nominations today and I think you might be a contender for best actress after The Widow in the Window."

Caitlin blushed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Marcia."

"Please kid, I haven't seen work that good since Juno. If you are nominated, which I'd be very surprised if you weren't, it's a nomination well earned," she replied.

Caitlin didn't say anything. She had never wanted to be the actress who thought she deserved anything just because of what talent she may possess. She loved her job – her craft. That was all that mattered to her.

Marcia whisked her away to the makeup department where the artist immediately began getting her ready for the scene she was filming that day. Coffee grasped in her hands, she looked at Barry who was standing at the door, muscles tensed. Once she caught his eye, she smiled softly and noted that his muscles loosened slightly. Victory.

XXX

By the time they finished filming for the day, the sun had set and Hollywood was alive with the night owls. Barry, who had been waiting for her outside of her trailer while she changed, looked at her as she came out in skinny jeans and a band t-shirt.

"I'm starving," she said.

"Want me to get Andrew to pick up some Chinese?" Barry asked, but she shook her head.

"No. Let's go get a bite to eat," she replied. "There's a Ferris Wheel down by the beach, next to a restaurant that has the most delectable burgers I've ever had."

Barry nodded. "Alright, we'll go there, then."

After having Andrew drop them off, with the promise of him coming to get them as soon as they needed, Caitlin and Barry made their way to the restaurant. Normally, it was packed any night of the week but Caitlin, who would never admit this out loud, was glad her fame came in handy every once in a while. As soon as the manager spotted her, his face lit up into a grin.

"Caitlin! Your usual spot?" Mark asked, and she nodded.

"Yes, please," she replied politely, and Mark personally led her and Barry to a table right on the top deck that faced the beach. Once they were seated, Mark left menus for them before wishing Caitlin good luck during award season. Then, he turned and was gone, leaving Caitlin and Barry alone.

"I like that guy," Barry commented, and Caitlin looked up at him in confusion.

"What?" Caitlin asked.

"I like that guy," he replied. "He didn't ask if we were together and didn't make you feel uncomfortable in the slightest."

Caitlin thought about it for a moment. Mark had never made her feel like she was anything other than herself; had never fallen over himself to get her autograph. He had just ensured she always had a place at his restaurant. She smiled. "I like him, too."

XXX

As their dinner progressed, Barry and Caitlin laughed and joked with one another. They were falling into a routine that Caitlin could see herself liking for many years to come. Of course, she didn't mention this to Barry, not wanting to scare the poor guy off. Just then, her phone pinged and she opened a text from Felicity. There was an article of the Emmy nominations, followed by, "HOLY SHIT", and at least twelve exclamation points. Heart thumping nervously, Caitlin looked at the list, noting that she had indeed been nominated for Best Actress.

"Oh my god," she gasped, and Barry looked at her.

"What?" Barry asked. She quickly showed him the text, followed by the nomination and he grinned.

"I'm so proud of you," he said. "That's amazing."

She grinned. "Thanks, babe."

She realized he was looking at her with a certain twinkle in his eye. "What?"

"I just really want to kiss you right now," he admitted.

"Then kiss me," she whispered. She didn't care about the paparazzi who were undoubtedly circling the restaurant like vultures; she didn't care about how Felicity would react; she just cared that she was in this moment with her boyfriend. She had just found out she had been nominated for a fucking Emmy and the man she was slowly starting to fall for more and more each day wanted to kiss her. It was perfect.

He leaned in slowly, placing his hands against her cheeks – she melted into the warmth that was simply him as he brushed his lips across hers' three times. When they pulled apart, she grinned at him and he her.

Yeah. Everything was perfect.

Author's note: Just a sweet one after the last few. More angst to come. Xxx