Part 15
Barry knocked on the captain's office door. The door opened and Singh let him in. Barry went to Caitlin and hugged her.
"You ok?" asked Barry
"Yeah. I mean I did have an encounter with Iris at Jitters. But Courtney and her coworkers helped get me out before Richard showed up." Said Caitlin
"What did she do?"
"Mostly run her mouth. She did grab me in a vice like grip. Though we do need to have a talk with our daughter about kicking people. She kicked Iris in the back of the knee. Iris fell into a waitress causing her to spill coffee all over the place. Luckily none fell on Crystal."
Barry looked at his daughter who was telling Singh all about her doggie.
"We can do that later. I just had to make sure you are ok."
"Barry, I understand that. But the fact is this is my problem. I am the one that got involved with Richard. I knew that I didn't love him and never would. I thought that the act he put up was the real him. Not the bastard that seems to get joy out of beating the crap out of me."
"Cait, if you insist on handling this on your own I might have to do something I don't want to. Crystal is in danger from this guy."
"Bartholomew Henry Allen, I will not let you take Crystal from me. I have been raising her on my own for nearly six years."
"Only because until a little over a month ago I didn't even know she existed."
"Her birth certificate is public record. Your name is on it as her father."
"Caitlin, I didn't know to look for one. Let us help you."
"Fine, but I don't want you to do something stupid and get hurt or worst killed. Crystal has only had you in her life a short time but she loves you."
"I love her. I also love her mom."
"Uh if you two are going to kiss and make up mind doing it on your own time? Allen shouldn't get back to work?" said Singh
"We will finish this conversation at home tonight." Said Barry
Caitlin sighed and nodded. Barry kissed Crystal gave Caitlin a hug and headed back to work.
"I am going to have Thawne take you and your daughter home." Said Singh
"I actually need to get to work at the hospital. I was going to take Crystal to Barry's parents house." Said Caitlin
"Just because I told Carson to get his ass back home doesn't mean he will. My officers can only make sure he leaves town for now."
"Captain Singh, I am not going to live my life in fear of that creep. I spent six months fearing that I would do something to set him off. I will be ok at the hospital."
"You really should think about taking the day off and just going home. I can have a protection detail assigned to you."
"I appreciate that Captain. But I need to go to work and take my mind off Richard. Trust me in the few weeks I have been there I have gotten on the good side of a lot of people."
"Ok. But let Eddie drive you."
"I can agree to that."
Just then Eddie knocked on the door. He stuck his head in.
"Mrs. Allen is here Captain." Said Eddie
"Let her in detective. Oh and you will be giving Ms. Snow here a ride to work." Said Singh
"Not a problem."
Nora walked into the office and pulled Caitlin into a hug.
"I am fine Nora. I didn't even see him. A couple of the employees at Jitters got me out the back while he came in the front."
"What about this bruise on your arm? Who did this?" asked Nora
"The mean brown lady hurt mommy grandma." Said Crystal
"Mean brown lady?" asked Nora
"Iris West. I am fine. Nora, I have been dealing with Iris and her drama for years. Crystal, you daddy and I are going to have a talk later about you kicking people." Said Caitlin
"She was hurting you mommy."
"Honey that is not a good enough reason to kick someone. Especially in the back of the knee. You can really hurt someone doing that."
"I'm sorry mommy."
"We will talk more later ok? You are going to go with grandma and Uncle Eddie is going to take me to work. You be a good girl ok?"
"Ok. Love you mommy."
"I love you sweetie."
Caitlin hugged and kissed her daughter. Crystal grabbed Mr. Ruffles and her bag. She then took Nora's hand so they could leave.
"Caitlin are you sure you will be ok going to work?" asked Nora
"Have you seen some of those security guards at the doors of the ER? I think a couple of them were on the football team when I was in high school."
"Ok if you sure you feel safe."
"Just knowing that I have so many people care about me makes me feel safe."
"Ok. Now Crystal's birthday is next Friday right?"
"Yeah. My brother is coming to town with his family so we can celebrate. We are doing the party on Saturday. I told Barry to invite Eddie, Patty and their kids. I left a message for my mom. But I am not counting on her showing up."
"I never understood why your mom is not there for you."
"I am use to it now. I will see you later."
Crystal left with Nora and Caitlin headed out with Eddie.
"So Caitlin do you want Patty and me to bring anything for Crystal's birthday?" asked Eddie as he drove.
"Not that I can think of."
"Anything she doesn't like for gifts?"
"Well I don't approve of toy guns. I am not really a fan of even water guns."
"Yeah I get that. Does she like dolls?"
"She will play with dolls. Well she plays she is their doctor anyway."
"So she is a lot like her mom."
"Yeah. She is."
"Caitlin, are you sure that you want to go to work?"
"Yes. Eddie, I know you promised my annoying big brother to look out for me. But I am not a little girl any more. I haven't been for a long time."
"Don't you think I noticed that? Caitlin you are a beautiful woman. You were beautiful in high school. I don't think you ever had a pimple in your life."
"That is what make up is for. To hide things like that. The thing is Eddie, I never saw you as anything but Charlie's friend almost like another brother."
"I know besides Charlie told me that if I hit on you then I never would have a kid of my own."
"I don't think my brother would have really hurt you. Besides I never been into blond jocks. I am more into dark haired science nerds."
"Yet you got involved with a guy that probably wouldn't know the difference between a walnut and acorn."
"Eddie, I don't want to get into it. Thanks for the ride."
Caitlin got out of the grabbed her bag and headed into the hospital.