Part 11
Caitlin walked into Jitters for the first time since she returned to Central City. It was nice to see that the menu had not changed much in her years away. She had just dropped Crystal off at Barry's parent's house. Next week Crystal would be starting school. Caitlin had already started her new job at the hospital. She found that she was enjoying it. She liked the people she worked with in the ER. She got in line and waited to order. She had forty five minutes before she had to be at the hospital.
"Well I must be dreaming because I never thought that Caitlin Snow would ever return to Central City."
Caitlin turned and smiled at her old friend.
"Cisco it is good to see you." Said Caitlin
"So when did you get back?"
"About two months ago."
"Two months and this is the first I hear of it?"
"I needed time to get my life back on track. I left Richard."
"About time. Caitlin that guy was no good for you. So where is my favorite niece?"
"With Barry's mom. Barry's dad got me a job at the hospital."
"So you finally told Barry about Crystal."
"Yeah. We are trying to work things out. Starting over. He bought a house and we our living together in it. Cisco we are not sharing a room or anything. The basement is finished and he is in the basement room which has it's own bathroom."
"That's cool. So Crystal like having her daddy around?"
"She loves Barry. Nora and Henry took us in when I left Richard."
"I almost forgot that they were part of the abused women underground railroad."
"Yeah. They let me explain why I didn't tell them or Barry about Crystal and forgave me. Barry was very forgiving about it too."
"I almost told him more then once. But then I remembered that over protective brother of yours and kept my mouth shut."
"Yeah well Charlie wouldn't have actually hurt you. Besides he has his own family to take care of."
"Yeah I know. It is good to see you again. Maybe I can come over and hang some time."
"That would be great. But I got to get going. Until I get a new car I am on the bus."
"I can give you a ride. You know Barry will help get a car if you ask him."
"I know he will. But I don't want to have to depend on him to get what I need."
"I get that. But he loves you. He will do anything you ask."
"I know. Cisco, if I asked Charlie he would get me the money for a car. I need to make it on my own."
"I get that. But sometimes to make it on your own you need to accept help from others."
"I will think about it Cisco. But I will take time for me to accept help."
"That is why it took you six months to take the help offered for you to leave that bastard."
"Cisco, I really don't want to talk about it."
"Ok I will drop it."
"You work at STAR Labs right?"
"Yep and in a few months we are going to turn on the particle accelerator we are building."
"I remember reading about that."
"I can see if I can get you and Barry passes to come the night we turn it on."
"That would be great if you can."
"I'll talk to Dr. Wells."
Cisco stopped in front of the employee entrance to the hospital. Caitlin grabbed her things exchanged phone numbers with him and headed into the building.
Iris was sitting in Jitters reading over her notes for a story she was working on when she saw a good looking man walk up to the counter. The employee working the counter greeted him. Showed her a badge and what looked like a photograph. Iris couldn't hear what was said but the man did not look happy. She got up and walked over to him.
"Is there something I can help you with officer?" asked Iris
"Sergeant Richard Carson Hub City PD. My girlfriend and her kid disappeared while I was away on a case. I am worried about her. I know that she use to live here so I thought she might have come to see some old friends."
"Iris West, could I see the picture of her?"
"Of course."
Richard handed the photo he was showing around to Iris. Iris recognized Caitlin immediately. The little girl in the picture with Caitlin looked just like her expect for the eyes. Those green eyes were all Barry Allen.
"Your girlfriend is Caitlin Snow?" asked Iris
"Yes. So you know her?" asked Richard
"I went to school with her when we were younger. I have seen her a couple of times in the past month. I don't know where she is staying. But she does come here most days for coffee."
"Those employees at the counter didn't seem to recognize her."
"They probably aren't suppose to tell anyone anything about customers. Tell you what let me have your number and next time she comes in when I am here I will call you."
"That would be great. I am worried about her and her little girl."
"I haven't seen the kid. But I will definitely call you when I see her."
"Thank you Ms. West."
Richard handed Iris one of his cards. He then walked out of the coffee shop grinning. It wouldn't be long before he would make that bitch pay for thinking that she could end things with him. She was going to learn that things were not over until he said they were over.
After watching the man Iris was talking to leave Eddie headed over to the counter.
"Hey Courtney."
"Oh hi Eddie. What's up?"
"Do you know who that guy is that was talking to Iris?"
"Never saw him before today. But he had a Hub City police badge. Said his name was Richard Carson, I think. He was asking about Caitlin Snow. I played dumb acting like I never saw her. I remembered what you said about her leaving a cop that was beating on her."
"Thanks Courtney."
"Hey it was no problem. Look I may never have been friends with Caitlin in school. But no one should have anyone hit them."
"You're right about that. Let me know if you see him asking around any more."
"Will do. Hey Eddie, does Caitlin really have a kid?"
"Yeah she does. The little girl is really cute and sweet."
"I bet. Barry and Caitlin were one of the best looking couples in school."
"Well they just might be getting back together."
"If there is anything I can do to help them along let me know."
"Keep Iris from messing with them."
"I will do my best."
Eddie smiled and headed out to head to CCPD. He pulled out his phone and called Joe on his way.
"Hey Joe, we got a problem. Carson is in town and I think Iris is going help him get to Caitlin."