The rest of the photoshoot passed by with very little interfering from other people. That was mainly thanks to Oliver's uncanny ability to spot trouble before it happened. Therefore, he could keep harassers away from Caitlin while Barry snapped shot after shot of her. She was laughing through a lot of them and he was laughing with her. She was simply happy and in the moment, not thinking about anything that had happened or bothered her; worries and troubles far from mind. At one point, Pepper broke free of Cisco's arms and came running up to the set, begging for attention. Barry quickly signaled that he wanted some photos of Pepper with her mom, so Caitlin quickly picked her up, cuddling her dog close.
By the time night fell, Caitlin was exhausted but happy with a job well done. She knew Barry was even happier. Caitlin hopped off the stage Barry had set up and made her way towards him, wrapping her sweater around herself tightly.
"Hey, you," Barry murmured and he kissed her forehead; she leaned into the touch.
"Thanks for today, Barry," she murmured.
"You were perfect, Cait, absolutely perfect," he praised her and she flushed with pride. It was one thing to make other photographers happy but when it was a photographer she was dating? Nothing compared that feeling. Smiling, she jerked her head to the left of her where a tent was.
"I'm going to go change. Do you want to come back to my place? Have a glass of wine, maybe?" Caitlin asked.
"You don't even have to ask me that, sweetheart," Barry said softly before kissing her gently and then sending her on her way to go change while he packed up their set with the aid of the other members of his team.
Caitlin smiled at Oliver who stood directly outside of her tent before ducking inside.
"No one will bother you, Cait," he called out softly.
"Thanks, Ollie," she replied as she quickly changed. Once she was back in her jeans and t-shirt, she slipped her sweater back on over herself, sliding into her converse, and then making her way out of the tent altogether. She made her way to Barry, with Oliver scanning the perimeter of the park, making sure no late-night walkers or joggers were around. Barry looked up as she got closer to him and wrapped his arm around her.
"Are you ready?" Caitlin asked softly and he nodded his head as he brushed his lips across her forehead.
"Yeah, baby," he murmured before glancing at Cisco and Felicity.
"We're heading out for the night, thanks for all your help, guys," he told them gratefully and his team members smiled at him.
"Thanks for a fun shoot, Barry," Felicity enthused as she tucked herself into Oliver's side.
"You were stunning today, Cait, per usual," Cisco complimented her and she laughed softly as she ducked her head.
"Thanks, Cisco. And thanks for giving me a ride this morning but I'll just head back with Barry," she told him politely and Cisco pouted.
"Thought we were better friends than that, Cait, but all you want me for is my free rides," he sighed and Caitlin rolled her eyes amusedly.
"You're so dramatic, Mr. Ramon," she teased through a laugh and he just shook his head with a smile before hugging her gently.
"Get some rest tonight, Cait," he murmured and she nodded her head as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I will, thanks," she replied softly before pulling apart. She tucked herself back into Barry's side as the bid everyone else goodbye before heading to his car. Once they were inside, Caitlin sighed happily.
"Today was just what I needed," she murmured and Barry smiled gently at her.
"You were absolutely perfect, baby," he replied and she smiled.
"Thanks, Barry. Now let's get out of here."
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By the time they pulled up to Caitlin's complex, Barry and Caitlin were laughing softly and smiling, fingers intertwined with one another's. They headed towards the elevator and then up to her floor, with Pepper tucked snuggly underneath Caitlin's arm, in her carrier. Once they reached her door, Caitlin spotted it open slightly and frowned.
"Huh, I could've sworn I shut and locked it this morning when we left," she muttered as she stared at her ajar door.
"Hey, Cait? Wait out here a moment, alright, baby?" Barry asked softly and she nodded her head as she eyed her door warily. What was on the other side? Barry headed inside her apartment and she heard him whistle lowly while she waited on pins and needles to go inside and see for herself. After about five minutes of impatient waiting, Barry popped his head around the door.
"Alright, come in. But, be prepared sweetheart: it's not very pretty," Barry warned her. Feeling a leaden like feeling drop inside of her stomach and rest uncomfortably there, Caitlin nodded her head and edged herself inside. Her jaw dropped the moment she got a good look at her apartment.
It was completely trashed. Pictures were hanging loosely on the walls, her couch was torn apart, her lamp had been knocked over and laid, smashed to bits, on the ground. She stared around, trying to remember how to breathe before looking dazedly at Barry.
"I think I need to call the cops," she muttered and he nodded his head firmly.
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After the cops showed up and took pictures of the scene, sweeping over anything with a little brush, hoping to pick up fingerprints, they finally left. However, not before saying they'd leave a detail outside of her apartment.
Caitlin shut the door softly as the last officer was shown out before turning to look at Barry with wide eyes.
"C'mere, sweetheart," he murmured as he held is arms open and she went and tucked herself inside of them. He rubbed soothing circles onto her back.
"I want to stay here for the next few nights until they catch this guy, alright?" Barry murmured and she thought about arguing him, insisting that she could look after herself. However, if she was being honest, it was nice to know that he wanted to look after her. She nodded her head a moment later.
"Alright," she replied. After standing in their embrace for a few more moments, they set about cleaning up her living room, getting it back to its original state. Some of her pictures were torn beyond repair but she was relieved to find the one of her and her father jumping in the leaves had been left alone. She let a couple of tears slip out upon that realization. Barry wound his arm around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"There, good as new," he whispered and she smiled as much as she could as she took in her restored living room.
"For now," she murmured.
She didn't know who was harassing her or what they wanted but she had a sinking feeling the photos had just been the beginning of it. Not knowing which way she should turn, she let Barry guide her to the couch and ease her down on it gently, tucking herself into his side as he wrapped his arm around her. They didn't speak much over the course of the night, just stayed up and sat with each other; that was enough to ease the frightened beating of her heart and that was good enough for her.
