Inspired by Gibb's rules from NCIS
"You don't have to do this, you know," Barry speaks out of concern as he watches his partner grab her gear.
She looks at him with mixed emotions. Her eyes saying everything that her mouth would not. She lets out a heavy sigh and pushes back loose strands of her semi-curl hair. "Barry, for the last time, stop trying to interfere with my case. I got my orders so butt out," she huffs.
"This is my case too, don't you forget!" he snaps. "I see the way this case is affecting you," he bites his lip debating whether to continue his remark. Just the thought of everything makes his blood boil.
It has been a long two months since that first case file came across their desk. Two more similar cases followed shortly after. They were dealing with a serial killer. However, they didn't have enough evidence to nail the guy. Not until their boss came up with the idea that his partner would go undercover as the potential next victim. Their boss claimed she fit the MO for the perpetrator so here she is two weeks undercover - much to Barry's displeasure.
The thought of this criminal being able to touch, hold, and even kiss her for that matter makes him angry. This scum is not worthy of her and Barry has had enough. Especially when he can see the fear in her eyes every time she has to go on a date. No more. He is going to put a stop to this even if that jeopardizes the case.
"This case isn't worth it," he adds slamming his hands on her desk.
She looks up at him - glaring. "I'm not letting another woman die at the hands of that man because you care for my well-being," she snaps and slides on her backpack. "Seriously Barry, I think you need to step away from this case. If you are going to be like this I'll ask Wells to let Jay help him and Cisco for tonight."
"Jay? Are you for real Cait? I have higher seniority than him," Barry spits in disgust.
"At least he can keep his feeling in check. Look at you," she gestures to him. "Why do you even care? I've done other undercover work more dangerous than this and you have never acted like this," she points out.
He leans back on his heels and just looks at her. He takes in her beauty - her eyes, slight pink cheeks, her kissable lips. He isn't sure when he did, but he did fall for his partner - hard. They have always been close. Working long days and even longer nights some days, you grow close. They almost always together. So how could he not fall for her? Every day it was something new to love about her - her smile, her lip biting, her quirks, her laugh, her hugs. He can go on.
Now here she is, unaware of his true feelings. She is frustrated with him - he can see that. Oh, how he wishes he can just shout from the rooftops how he feels about her. Then a small voice echoes in his mind - their boss.
'Rule Number Twelve Allen. Never date a coworker'
His boss claims he knows all the rules of life and that his team is to follow such rules. He rolls his eyes and tries to shake away all his thoughts. Taking a deep breath her forces a smile on his lips. "I'm sorry Cait. You are right. I'm overreacting. It's just... I don't want to see you get hurt," he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.
Her eyes soften as she leans on her leg to look him in the eyes. "Barry, I'll be fine. I can take care of myself and you guys will be right down the road if anything should happen," she tries to reassure him.
"I'll um," he chokes, "I'll see you tonight," he nods at her as she replies with a soft smile. She waves and he watches her walk to the elevator and disappear behind the closed doors. He slumps over to his desk and plops into his chair.
"Careful Barry your emotions are showing," his long-haired friend smirks as he continues typing into his computer.
"Shut up Cisco," he groans, wiping his face in frustration. "Was I really that obvious?" he dares asks, looking over at him.
"To me - yes. To her - fat chance. She is completely oblivious unless you tell her flat out," he laughs, typing away. When Barry groans in frustration and slams his head into his hands Cisco stops working. "You alright, man?"
Barry looks over and glares at his friend. "Yes Cisco, I am completely happy and full of joy at the moment. Thank you for asking," he scoffs with an eye roll before looking back into his hands.
Cisco sighs, pushing his chair back, and walking over to his coworker. He places a hand on his shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "Listen, I know you are struggling with these feelings but just remember what Wells will say if he finds out," he reminds with a look of concern.
"If I find out what," their superior asks as he walks in with a cup of coffee in hand. He glares at two guys as they look at him with guilt-filled faces. "Where's Snow?"
"She left to get ready for tonight. She got a text that he wanted to go out with her again," Cisco informs, walking away from Barry to grab a remote to pull up the text conversation on the TV screen.
Wells looks at the screen then over to Barry, who shoves his hands into his pockets. He looks over his glasses, examining his body language. Wells' face is a blank expression as he looks back at the screen to take a sip of his coffee. "Ramon prepare the van. Allen go check on Snow. Make sure she is wired and ready to go when the time comes," he barks and walks over to his desk.
"Boss, I think Caitlin can wire herself," Barry speaks, his eyebrows scrunch in confusion.
Wells looks over at him. "As I said, Allen. Now go," he barks and turns back to his computer - typing away.
Barry shuffles back, almost tripping over his own feet, and grabs his things. As he heads to the elevator, he looks back at his team. He and Cisco make brief eye contact. His long-haired friend gives him a supporting smile with a small thumbs up. He smiles back and gets into the elevator, bouncing on his feet. He is going to tell her - it's time.
He nervously stands outside her apartment door, biting his lip, before finding the courage to knock. There is shuffling behind the door, a quick pause, then the door opens wide revealing a shock Caitlin holding up a half zipped-up black cocktail dress. He feels his knees go weak at the sight of how the dress hugs her curves just right and shows off her long legs.
"Barry! What are you doing here?" she gasps, trying to hold her dress up.
He coughs, feeling his cheeks heat up from the sight before him. "Wells..." he chokes. "He told me to come and check on you. Make sure you are wired and ready to go for tonight..." he stutters, rubbing his neck nervously.
"Really?" she asks not convinced, cocking her head and shifting her weight on her right leg.
"Yes really," he huffs. "You can call him and ask if you don't trust me," he sighs. "Are you going to let me in?"
Caitlin bites her bottom lip, a slight blush on her cheeks, and nods her head. He smiles at her with a soft nod as she moves to let him in. When he crosses the threshold she turns to keep her back unexposed to him. "You can wait in my living room. I'm gonna finish getting ready. Make yourself comfortable," she pipes then dashes to her room.
He walks around looking at her decore, simple yet speaks volumes of her character. It makes him smile. He starts to look at a frame on her shelf then hears a faint call.
"Hey... um, Barry..." Caitlin stresses from the doorway. "Can you help me... with my zipper?" she adds with a small blush.
"Uh.. yeah," he coughs then sturts over. "I can... I can.. help you with that," he says clearing his throat.
"Thanks," she smiles then turns around. "It's already halfway up. I just need help getting it the rest of the way," she rumbles, struggling to show her problem.
Barry chuckles with a slight shake of his head. "I got you Cait," he warmly smiles as she smiles back - her cheeks a brighter pink. Delicately he grabs the zipper, holds his breath, and pulls it up with ease. "You look beautiful," he slips out and Caitlin blushes.
He coughs, catching himself, and steps back, leaning back on his heels. "All set," he claps his hands. "I'll um... in the kitchen. My throat is a bit dry," he coughs. "I'm gonna get some water," he adds, quickly steps away.
She turns back around, nodding her head with slight disappointment. "Oh, umm... Cabinet next to the ridge," she tries to guide for a glass. He nods his head, opening and closing the door - not looking at her. She bites her lip, opens her mouth to say something then dismisses it before closing her door.
He chugs the full glass of water like his life depends on it. He leans against the sink, his head hanging, as a heavy sigh leaves his lips. He's getting way over his head. This is too much for him. He pulls out his phone and dials a number. Rubbing his neck, he waits for the line to pick up.
"Hey, umm do you think you can come over to Caitlin's to help her get ready for tonight's operation." He pauses waiting for a response. "She is almost ready. You'll just need to make sure she is properly wired," he adds. The voice responds and he gives a half-smile with a nod. "Thanks. See you in a few," he sighs then hangs up.
Shortly after there is a knock on the door. Barry swings the door open, twitch his mouth into a short smile. "Thanks for coming," he says, stepping aside to let his teammate in.
Cisco eyes him suspiciously as he walks through the threshold. "You're just lucky I finished getting the van ready when you called," he says, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Once inside, he turns on his heels. "Why the hell am I here? Like I said Wells sent you to do this," he points at him.
Barry runs his fingers through his hair. "Yes, but I can't do this. Not the way I'm feeling now," he stresses. "Cisco I'm falling hard and there is no way out at this point," he looks over at her closed door then back to his friend. "Like how can I not," he laughs, his arms slapping to his sides. "She is beautiful, smart, caring, angelic, " he smiles laughing, "such a badass when she's kicking butt."
Cisco smirks at him, watching in amusement. "You seriously got it bad," he laughs.
"I know," he groans. "And that scares me," he sighs walking over to take a seat on the couch. Cisco follows him, looking at him to elaborate. "In the beginning, it was simple to just be her partner and care about her as my partner. Now, feeling the way I do - falling in love with her - I can't," he sighs, finding the right words. "I become more of a liability for her - for our team," he chokes out. "I can't lose her. I would risk my life for her because I love her," he breathes.
Cisco licks his lips and pats his shoulder. "I'll take over from here. But..." he sighs, "I think you are going to need to think about transferring teams for everyone's safety."
Barry nods his head in disappointment. He slaps his knees and stands up. "I'll see you tonight and talk to Wells about the transfer," he softly speaks under his breath. Without looking back he heads out and closes the door behind him.
Unbeknownst to them, Caitlin leans against her wall with the door cracked open. Her breath stocks as her feelings become overwhelming. She bites her lip, quietly closing the door and leaning against it. She dashes to her phone, clicking on a name, and debating what to do. With a heavy sigh, she tosses her phone on the bed and decides to talk to the person after everything is done.
Knocking on the door, Cisco calls out, "Hey Caitlin, Barry got a call from Wells so I'm here to help you get wired. Let me know when you are ready."
She looks at herself in the mirror, fixing her eye make-up, croaking, "Ready."
After being wired and ready to go Caitlin goes to meet up with the suspect. It is a smooth moving dinner, nothing raises any red flags, until she catches in the corner of her eye, the guy trying to spike her drink. The safe word her team discussed slips out of her mouth into the mic and they get on high alert - Barry especially. She plays along as the criminal leads her out of the restaurant to his car. Then all hell breaks loose. She starts to fight back. He pins her against the car, jabbing a needle into her thigh. Her vision becomes blurry as he shoves her into his car, slamming the door. She feels her body go limp and calls for back up. Not long after, the area is surrounded, stalling the vehicle in place.
Their suspect is arrested but all Barry cares about is getting to his partner. He pulls her out of the vehicle and carries her towards their medic on sight - into the back of the ambulance. The medic hooks her limp body with an IV to cleanse out the drug. She then turns to Barry telling him she will be okay in a couple of hours. He nods in appreciation, taking a seat, staying by her side with concern still written on her face.
"Barry," Caitlin groggily breathes.
His head snaps up, quick to his feet. "Cait? Can you hear me?"
She nods her head and blinks her eyes to clear her vision. A soft smile on her face seeing his face. She grunts trying to lift her hand to grab his hand. She whimpers at her failed attempt.
Barry takes notice of her action, "Take it easy Cait. The drugs are still being flushed out of your system." His hand moving strands of hair out of her face.
"Thank you, Barry, for being here," she smiles.
"Always," he breathes, his fingers brushing her still hand.
She bites her lip to hold back a blush. Looking into his comfort looking eyes and reflecting on his earlier conversation with Cisco. "Can... can you hold me... please," she begs. "I'm feeling cold," she adds to explain.
He smiles, "of course."
Now here they are, with all signs of the drug out of her system, Caitlin holds on tightly to Barry. Breathing in his scent and snuggling into his chest to seek out his body heat. He holds her close, fingers running through her hair in a soothing matter.
"It's okay, I got you Cait," he whispers into her ear. "I got you," he breathes, tightening his hold.
She raises her head close to his ear. "I love you," she breathes.
His movements still as he looks down at her face - her smile so bright. Slowly, his hand caresses her cheek. "Cait -"
"I heard you with Cisco," she butts in, her fingers curling around his neck for support. "When I felt like I was dying, I thought of you," she breathes. "And how I would never be able to say those words." She bites her bottom lip then sighs, playing the ends of his hair. "I love you, Barry Allen," she breathes with a laugh.
He chuckles, holding her close to his chest as he kisses the top of her head. "I love you, Caitlin Snow," he smiles.
Heavy steps catch their attention as they look over at their boss. They stay close in their embrace as he stands with his arms crossed with his typical blank expression. "Rule number 25, Allen," he states.
Barry's eyes spark as his mind works to remember while Caitlin looks with joyful surprise. Wells smirks, "When you find the one, you don't walk away." He looks at the couple for a reaction before continuing his words. "I will see you both, back to work, on my team, on Monday. Allen take care of Snow and make sure she rules doctor's orders."
Speechless, the pair watch their boss walk away. Barry pecks her cheek then dashes over to his boss. "Boss! Wait! You're not... you're not transferring me? What about rule number twelve?" he rambles.
"Rule number 56, rule twelve is invalid when rule twenty-five is at play," he smirks.
Barry at him confused. "Sir?"
"Allen, I am not blind. I can see when something is meant to be. So why in the hell would I mess up our team dynamics over it," Wells states with a glare. "Now take care of Snow and I'll see you both Monday," he adds and walks off.
A dorky smile spreads on his face. He turns on his heels and heads back to Caitlin. Her eyes pop up with concern and worry, then fade away seeing the look of his smile. "Everything okay?" she asks when gets closer.
His hands cup her cheeks and he pulls her in for a passionate kiss. She kisses back, once the initial shock wears off, with a permanent smile. Her hands intertwine with his hair causing him to smile into their kiss. He slowly pulls away breathless,
"Gotta love rule number 25."
fin.