I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Right around the time I posted the last chapter, I took a hiatus from writing Barry/Caitlin, and then I had the worst case of writer's block for this story. But I'm back now and I have every intention of finishing this, although I wouldn't count on regular updates.

Green Hal37: Oh no kidding, the Arrowverse at this point is just a bad joke. Yep, the two best fathers in the Arrowverse are easily Joe West and Quentin Lance (when he's not drinking). Well, Iris is an immature brat who thinks the world revolves around her, so…yeah.

Wall: Glad you're enjoying it. Oh no kidding, the fact that Barry never stands up to Iris is just sad and shows how toxic WestAllen is. Yeah, if Iris was like her comic book self, I would be all for it, but Arrowverse Iris is the complete opposite of comic Iris.

GIJose: It's fine. Why thank you. Glad I handled the scene well. Yeah, it's always good to see Oliver around. I may have my issues with Joe, but he's at his best when he acts like the team's father figure. Why thank you. Yes, I am my own worst critic but thank you.

Star Labs

Afternoon

Barry was doing laps on the treadmill in the Speed Lab, which he found pretty fun. Experiencing it first hand was much better than experiencing the memory of his time remnant. After a bit, he stopped, getting off. However, he froze as he saw Iris standing in the doorway, clearly waiting for him.

"Iris," Barry said awkwardly, not expecting to see her here, especially after he made it clear to Joe he didn't want either of them at Star Labs right now. "What are you doing here?"

"What's going on with you and Caitlin?" Iris demanded, throwing Barry for a loop.

"What?" Barry asked.

"I saw you two last night, on the balcony," Iris said hotly.

"Not that it's any of your business, but Devoe knows about the baby. She was scared, so I comforted her," Barry said, annoyed at having to explain himself. "And you know what; I don't owe you any explanations. We are not together, we have never been together. And from how you're acting right now, you're not someone I want in my life."

"What?" Iris said shocked after a moment.

"You heard me. I told you I needed space but for some reason, you feel like you can barge in here and do whatever you want, what I need be damned. Let me make this clear Iris, we are not together. We have never and we will never be together. Maybe one day, we can be friends again, but not if you keep this up," Barry said angrily. "Leave Iris. There is nothing for you here."

Barry then walked passed Iris, leaving her wondering what had just happened.

Earth-38, the DEO

Same time

J'onn was at a computer, frowning in concentration as Winn walked up behind him.

"Hey Papa Bear, what's going on?" Winn asked in concern.

"Looking into something. When I was on Earth-1, I saw something in Marlize Devoe's mind. I'm trying to figure out if the technology on our earth can help me figure out what is," J'onn said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Well, lucky for you, that kind of thing is my specialty. Tell me what you saw and I'll see if anything like that exists on this earth," Winn said.

Earth-1, Star Labs

Not long after

"Hey man, you okay?" Cisco asked as Barry entered the cortex, looking upset.

"Just had an unpleasant run in with Iris. Was she always this…" Barry trailed off, looking for the word.

"Self-centered?" Cisco supplied.

"I was gonna say single minded, but yeah," Barry admitted. "If you could see it, why couldn't I?"

"Because you had 'she's the love of my life' blinders on," Cisco said and Barry grimaced.

"Don't remind me," Barry muttered. "Where's Wally?"

"He went to patrol the city. And don't worry, he knows not to engage if he sees Devoe," Cisco assured him and Barry nodded.

"He better," Barry muttered, remembering what had happened last time Wally had rushed in halfcocked.

"I think Wally's learned his lesson about that," Cisco pointed out and Barry nodded.

"Well, we'll see," Barry said, remembering from Barty's memories how reckless Wally could be.

"So, did you…tell Caitlin?" Cisco asked awkwardly and the look on Barry's face was enough. "I'll take that look on your face as a 'no'."

"I don't even know how to bring it up. Besides, Caitlin's got so much going on right now-" Barry started.

"In other words, you're trying to talk yourself out of it," Cisco cut him off and Barry could only look at him sheepishly. "You can face down Zoom and Thawne, but you chicken out on telling Caitlin how you feel?"

"The situation is complicated," Barry muttered.

"Yeah, it is," Cisco agreed. "But so are our lives. I see the way she looks at you Barry. The way she's been looking at you for years. She deserves…everything good in this world. And after everything you've been through, so do you. You two are the best people I know and if you two wanna be together, go be together. It shouldn't matter what Iris, Joe or anyone else thinks, only how you two feel about each other."

"Wow. That was…actually good advice. Are we sure you weren't the one replaced?" Barry joked and Cisco threw a pencil at him.

"Jerk," Cisco said jokingly and they laughed. "I guess I had a good example. So go follow your own example."

Central City

Same time

In a church, a priest stood in the confessional, waiting for the man on the other said to speak.

"I'm not sure I believe in a God," Joe confessed after a moment. "I've been through some hard times lately. I thought maybe faith could help me. Now…now I don't know. But I need advice from someone."

"Speak my son, and I shall see if I can offer you my wisdom," the priest said and Joe sighed.

"Forgive me father, for I have sinned. I failed my son. He needed my help, but I couldn't even see that something was wrong. I buried my head in the sand and he paid the price. Not just him, but everyone around him. Now he says he doesn't want to see me and I…I don't know what to do, I feel lost," Joe said, his voice growing more emotional as he spoke.

"Try to be there for him my son," the priest said after a moment. "Just because someone strays from the righteous path does not mean they are lost forever. Show your son you are there for him now. Perhaps, in time, he will forgive you. Until such a day comes, you must be patient. It is never too late to repent for your sins."

Iris' loft

Same time

Iris walked into the loft, slamming the door behind her. Walking over to the kitchen, she paused as she stared at a picture of her and Barry. No, not Barry, the Time Remnant that had taken over Barry's life.

"We are not together. We have never and we will never be together," Iris remembered Barry's words from earlier.

Overcome with a sudden burst of anger, Iris grabbed the picture frame and threw it as hard as she could. It slammed against the wall, the glass shattering upon impact. Iris thought darkly that it was an ironic metaphor for her heart. This home, this life she had been trying to build, it was all based on a lie. And it was all for nothing. Barry did not seem to want anything to do with her right now. It was a tough pill to swallow, but she knew now that she had to let go of Barry.

Star Labs

Late afternoon

Caitlin was in the med-lab, her eyes slightly red from her earlier breakdown with Joe. She had been embarrassed but Joe had quickly assured her that it was perfectly fine. He had promised her that, if she was ready, he would be there for her and the baby, which Caitlin was immensely grateful for.

"You okay?" Caitlin yelped, whirling around to face Barry lingering in the doorway. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

"Its fine," Caitlin said, attempting to calm her racing heart.

"Have you been crying?" Barry asked as he noticed her eyes.

"Pregnancy hormones," Caitlin attempted to shrug off; knowing he likely wouldn't appreciate Joe coming to see her.

Barry eyed her, sensing that she was holding something back. But he wasn't going to push her, and he didn't come here to fight with her.

"Did you want something?" Caitlin asked, attempting to direct the conversation to another topic.

"Yeah…I'm just not sure how to say it," Barry said lowly and she shot him a quizzical look.

"What's wrong?" she asked concerned and he smiled tightly.

"Nothing's wrong…well, I guess that depends on how you take this," Barry said and she looked at him confused. "We've been through a lot, you and me."

"I think that goes without saying," Caitlin said, wondering where he was going with this.

"You've seen me at my best and my worst; you've stood by me through all of it. You know me better than anyone, even Joe and Iris. I feel like I've always known you. But maybe that's just how it is when…"Barry trailed off, not sure how to say it.

"How is it when what?" Caitlin asked softly, her heart hammering in her chest.

Surely Barry wasn't about to say what she hoped he was going to say. It couldn't be…could it?

"You are the best person I know. If I had to think up the woman with the most beautiful soul in the world…she wouldn't even come close to you. It's taken me a long time to realize that, while I thought I was in love with Iris…I've been falling in love with you," Barry finally said and Caitlin started at him, shock, joy ad disbelief flooding through her.

"Barry," Caitlin breathed.

"I know you have a million different things going on right now and you probably shouldn't even be thinking about this, but I just couldn't keep this to myself anymore," Barry said as he walked over to her until he could reach out and touch her cheek if he wanted to. "If you don't feel the same way, if I'm alone in this, just say the word and I'll never bring it up again. But I had to tell you how I feel."

Unable to speak, Caitlin grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss. Although taken by surprised, Barry grabbed her, speeding over to the wall as they kissed hungrily. This was what bliss felt like, Caitlin through as she ran her hands through Barry's hair as they continued to kiss. Fire seemed to run through her veins, ironically enough. She had never felt more alive than she did in that moment. And she never wanted it to end.

Well, that is going to be Iris' reaction, as I didn't want to do the whole 'spoiled brat meltdown' thing. Reality has finally set in for Iris that she's been holding onto to something that never really existed.

I don't consider myself a good writer of romance, but I hope I did okay on the Barry/Caitlin scene.