Hello this is a final farewell for a small while. My apologies that the chapter couldn't be something better but this is what I have. My computer will be out of commission for about two months and during that time I won't be able to update. I'm sorry to all of you who have read, followed, favorited and reviewed this story. It is a great honor to write for you. So I tried to make this chapter something that could be analyzed and there are a few surprise answers if you look close enough. My apologies once again and I hope to update again near mid July. Everybody have a great day/night and enjoy.

Enough about me, read on.

I pause at the door to the small bar.

How can I even be doing this? I left for a reason, and being out in the open could bring him here. And I like it here too much to let it go.

It's just a get together, Eiling can't find me here.

At least that's what I tell myself when I push the door open and am greeted by whoops of laughter.

Eddie and Iris are seated together, Dr. Snow and the guy with long hair are also here.

And Barry is sitting on one of the stools watching the scene with a somber expression.

I head for Eddie first, "Hey, thanks for throwing this together. Seemed we could all use a break," I see Iris smile.

Eddie inclines his head, "Seems to be going well, even Barry's friends are having fun," he motions over to where Dr. Snow is talking animatedly with the guy with long hair.

I turn back to Eddie, "I'm going to go over there and introduce myself. You two have fun, not like that. Unless you do it like that, and you know what," I flush, "I'm going to go over there and hide in a corner," I say with a small wave and Iris's laugh echoing in my head.

I head over to where Dr. Snow is sitting with the guy. I pause awkwardly and incline my head towards Dr. Snow, "It's good to see you again, Dr. Snow. And you," I also nod my head at the guy.

He smiles widely and sticks his hand out, "Cisco. Nice to meet you, finally," he says and quickly says, "Officially, that's what I meant. I know who you are, and we met last night, but I'm going to stop talking now," he finishes quickly and grabs his drink to take a large gulp.

I smile back, "Thank you by the way. For last night. Saving me and Red," I say and Dr. Snow smiles as I ramble on, "Not that we're a thing, which is kind of what I implied. I mean I don't even know who he is," at this they both share a glance and look back at me, eyes wide.

Cisco coughs and takes another gulp before grinning, "You're welcome, it was fun. Although I don't understand why you didn't just tell Cold to let you g-" he cuts off from a sharp elbow to the side by Dr. Snow.

She levels a glare at him that would send a lesser man running for the hills but he just rolls his eyes and takes another sip of his drink as she answers, "Of course she did Cisco, she wasn't kidnapped of her own accord," and I duck my head. She catches it and stares at me bewildered, "You let yourself be kidnapped?"

"He had a rookie hostage. I couldn't let him be hurt. So yeah I traded my life for his,"

Seems like I do that a lot.

Cisco stares at me, "What get kidnapped?" and I start.

"Did I? Out loud?" they both nod slowly and I explain, "Sorry, I have a bad habit of-"

"Speaking your thoughts out loud, we know," Dr. Snow stares at me and again I'm reminded of when I thought she wanted to dissect me. She continues, "It's a miracle you've been able to keep his secret this long," she says. I try and defend myself but she continues on, "We've been the ones keeping him safe, and you launch yourself into trouble without regard to your own life. He could be hurt trying to protect you, and yet you still throw yourself at the most dangerous situation you can find," her hands fly as she speaks calmly. I think I would rather she yell at me then speaking to me with such restraint.

Cisco grabs her hand and stares at her, "Hey don't forget, she also saved his life. And lives of countless others. We may have to keep him safe, but she's the one who has been keeping him sane," he looks at me and I see wisdom and experience in them as he continues, "Caitlin, I think that they need each other. The same way we need our team," he takes his drink, "Enough of this, let's get smashed tonight. I think we all need it," he takes another gulp and sits down in his chair.

I can tell when I'm dismissed so I walk away towards Barry. And he greets me with a small smile, "Hey Makayla, good to see you here," he pulls out a chair next to him and I gratefully take a seat.

"Thank you," I notice that he seems a little down with his eyes downcast, "Barry, are you okay?"

He turns to me his mouth open and then looks across the room, "I'm fine, it's just that I..." he looks over at Iris and Eddie with a broken expression and my heart goes out to him.

"Iris, I know," I reassure him with a small pat on the back and he gives me a morose smile. I try to think of something that will make him better, "The thing is, any woman in here would want to be with you. All you'd have to do is give them your smile. The one that is so infectious it makes anybody smile as well, they will fall at your feet," and he turns to me.

He looks me in the eyes searching, "Like this?," and he smiles. One of the rare smiles that reminds me of why the world is so great. It makes the everything stand still time, the universe, my heart.

It takes me a minute to get my breath back as I nod at him, "Exactly, like that," and he grins again about to say something but is interrupted by Iris plopping down at the table.

She looks over at Dr. Snow and Cisco before turning to Barry, "I'm glad you invited Caitlin and Cisco," Barry grins at her.

He say, "They're cool right?" and she grins back at him and answers, "They saved your life, Barry. That makes them the coolest people I've ever known," and she smiles over at Dr. Snow.

Barry looks over at me, "We can't forget about all of us. We are pretty cool ourselves. I'm glad that everyone could become friends," he smiles at both of us.

And I lift my glass, "To new friends," and Iris lifts hers as well, "To old friends,"

Barry grin at both of us and raises his, "To friends, old and new," and with that we all drink them up. Barry grimaces a little bit and I chuckle.

Iris looks over at Eddie waving her over, "Ooh. I'm up. Wish me luck," and she leaves to challenge Eddie, "I'm going to destroy you," and he grins playfully before pulling her closer and answering, "Don't get cocky, West," they both go off to challenge.

Barry grins at me and looks over at Dr. Snow and Cisco, "I'm gonna go talk to them about something. Have fun," and he heads over to them with a worried expression and his drink in hand.

And I sit there alone with people all around me, but I still feel alone.

Guess I really do need that drink. I walk to the bar and order something simple. The bartender gives me a look and I try to smile, he turns away.

"Wow love, you're driving the bartender away. Must be some mood," I turn around at the familiar voice and see his smile.

"Elijah," I say and resist the urge to jump him for a hug. I really needed to see someone that won't judge me. He smiles back at me and it's not Barry's time stopping smile but it's one that does make me think he is cute.

He looks over at the bartender, "I'll have what the ladies having, and it's on me," he says pushing a few bills across the counter.

I stifle a laugh and he looks over at me his blue eyes piercing, "Is something funny?" and I point at the bartender.

"Just that if anybody were to look over here they would think you're trying to pick me up," I say and he smiles holding his drink as he looks at me, "And what if I am? You are the kind of a girl any guy would be lucky to have," he says staring at me with his brilliant blue eyes. And then he looks over across the room.

Towards Barry. Elijah then says, "He's a lucky man. And I stay by what I said earlier, if he can't see you then he's stupid," he places his arm on my shoulder and that's when Barry looks over at us.

His emerald eyes narrow slightly and his lips purse together. But it's only for a second and I think I'm the only one who noticed. That expression disappears and he gives me a thumbs up. He then turns around back to Dr. Snow.

Elijah looks at me again with a smirk ghosting his lips, "You're different. Other girls are boring, but in the time I've known you you've ended up at my doorstep bruised and battered, I've slept in your bed, but not with you. You make me want to be a different person, one who has the chance that I want," his eyes fall downcast and he says so softly I can barely hear, "You aren't what I expected, when I took this assignment,"

I want to comfort him or do anything besides stand there stupid.

My decision was made for me by the commotion across the room by Eddie and Iris.

Eddie looks at his phone, "There was a bombing on 8th and pass. I've got to go babe," he says this to Iris with a quick kiss.

Iris says bye to him and turns to Barry to say bye as well.

I intercept her before she reaches the door, "Where are you going?"

And she smiles, "To get my evidence he exists," she shouts over her shoulder and my heart stops.

Red.

Before I even know it they're all flying out the door and I give a look to Elijah, "I have to go too. I'm sorry," but before I can jump up he catches my arm.

"I'm going with, I'm a part of this group too," he looks at me and smiles flirtatiously, "Plus the Captain said you need to watch me," and he winks.

I don't even bother with rolling my eyes.

I grab his hand and we rush out the door.

He catches up, "Where are we going?" I don't look back as I answer, "To 8th and pass. I have to save a hero,"

He shrugs his shoulders and we rush down the street together.

To help my best friend.

One more time, I'm sorry.

Have a great day/ night and keep making people smile.