Lovely Arrangements

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Year 1 . Month 4

Ten am coffee, his cinnamon-raisin bagel, and he was a happy man.

His phone rang, with its signature Star Wars theme, "Hello?"

"Hi babe, just wanted to remind you to bring the strawberry cheese cake today," his long time girlfriend said sweetly, but the threat wasn't missed by the engineer.

"Anything for you Golden Goddess," he said in mock reverence.

She giggled, "It better stay that way Cuddly Bear."

"Always."

"Boss you're whipped," the mocking voice of Jax came from behind.

Cisco took a sip of his coffee and smiled, "Just you wait, you'll be even worse when you meet your match."

"Unlikely," Jax declared proudly.

Meanwhile, Wally stepped in, "Yes, love you too babe, aha, yes," he was smiling away as he dropped some notebooks on his desk, "of course, dinner on me today," and then it began, the you hang up/no you first debacle that was like a morning ritual for Wally and his girlfriend.

Jax just shook his head and patted Cisco's shoulder, "I take it back, now he's whipped, with a capital W,"

Both men laughed.

"I heard that," Wally said as he put his cellphone away, "I bet you'll be the worse out of us three,"

"Agreed," Cisco nodded.

"As if!" Jax laughed, "I'll walk in with a pink tutu before I stoop to your levels of whipped-ness,"

"Excuse me?" A female voice from the door was heard.

The three men turned to the new face, and Cisco was the first to respond.

"Caitlin! Glad to see you could make it, come right in," he motioned for her to walk in.

Wally noted the keen interest Jax was looking at the newcomer with. Sucker.

"Okay boys, meet our intern Caitlin," he motioned from the two young men to the lady and then back again, "Caitlin, these are the guys, Wally and Jax."

"He—"

Before Wally could finish, Jax stepped between them and took her hand, "Hello there," he said, trying to be suave.

Wally shot Cisco a mocking look, and Cisco just shook his head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the senior engineer muttered.

"Hi," Caitlin said enthusiastically, people were so nice here. "My name is Caitlin."

"That's a very pretty name," Jax said as he led Caitlin to the center of their office, "My name is Jefferson Jackson, but you can call me Jax," he said with a bright smile.

"Everyone calls you Jax," Wally pitched in, but was brutally ignored.

"Well Jax, nice to meet you," Caitlin responded with a small smile of her own.

"Name's Wally by the way," the forgotten man mentioned from a corner.

"Hi Wally," Caitlin waved.

"Okay children, here's the deal," he got everyone to sit around their conference table. "Caitlin will be interning with us starting the summer," he noticed Jax frowned, "but she will be making a few visits to get acquainted with our environment here,"

"Nice," Wally said, "what's your specialty?"

"My specialty?"

Cisco, ever the gentlemen, stepped in, "Caitlin isn't an engineer, but she's here to learn more about the medical operation. There's more to the hospital world, than doctors or nurses, am I right?"

The boys nodded in agreement.

"I'm not tooting my horn or anything, but I'm a fast learner, make a mean coffee, and am good with computers."

Jax sighed, could the woman be any more perfect.

"That's great Caitlin, an extra hand never hurts."

"Ditto," Cisco took a sip from his coffee and stood up. Everyone followed, "now boys, I don't want you to abuse our intern," he started, "we've never had one," Cisco whispered to Caitlin, "She's here to learn, not to be tasked with useless things, so no she won't be making your copies or shredding papers."

"I don't mind, really," Caitlin said.

"Now, now, Caitlin, when the time comes we'll discuss that."

Cisco was giving her a tour of their little engineering corner and showing her some of the hardware they worked with. Wally excused himself to go check on some machines that were reported to have some issues. Meanwhile Jax was pitching in to expand on Cisco's explanations.

"...and I'm the resident expert on thermodynamics," Jax said with pride.

A chill went down Caitlin's spine, "Thermodynamics?"

"Yep."

"Gosh I'm having PTSD just thinking about the subject," she said more to herself than to the men.

Cisco snickered.

Jax frowned.

"Sorry, there's this class I'm taking with Professor Stein, that's killing me. About thermodynamics precisely."

"Martin Stein?" Jax asked.

"Yes! Do you know him?"

"He's my uncle," the man said with pride.

"Can you tell him to cut down his exams to 70 questions and not 100?" Caitlin said jokingly, but if it was possible, she would be grateful for it.

Jax groaned, "He's still doing those long exams? Aye, need to talk to him again."

Cisco finished up with his bagel, "Weren't you the one that suggested to him a week long exam of 25 questions each—"

Jax elbowed him, "Anyway, I'll talk to him Caitlin," he walked with her to the door, "But if you have any questions in the meantime, don't hesitate to let me know."

He began writing his number on a post-it.

"I wouldn't…" Cisco began.

"Caitlin?" A familiar voice that she was accustomed to, said from the hallway.

"Barry?" Caitlin said as she turned to the doctor. It was nice seeing him in the white robe. In fact, it was probably the first time she did.

"What a surprise," Barry said as he walked towards the group, excusing himself from the doctors he was walking with. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Yes, one of my classes got canceled and I took the opportunity to stop by and see Cisco," she said with a smile.

"Cisco?" Barry turned from Caitlin to the young man that was next to her with a post-it and a pen. Jefferson Jackson, one of the best and the brightest in his hospital.

"Yes, he was introducing me to the engineering team."

Cisco walked towards the group, "Hi Barry, doing morning rounds?"

"Precisely."

Caitlin leaned a bit to the side to see the group of doctors chatting away, "It seems you are pretty busy, I won't take anymore of your time," she said with an apologetic smile. She turned back to face the two engineers, "Thank you both for your time today, and please send Wally my regards."

"Any time Caitlin," Cisco said with a grin. "Let me know when you have some time so we can move forward with the paperwork."

The woman nodded, "Yes, of course," the she turned to Jax, "thank you for your kindness, I'll be sure to take you up on your offer."

Barry raised an eyebrow, what offer?

Cisco watched the trio in front and suppressed a Cheshire grin.

"Yes, yes, here's my number," he gave Caitlin the post-it. With his happy grin never wavering.

"Awesome, thank you," she was waving at the men and turned to take her leave.

Barry cleared his throat, "Caitlin," he called.

She turned around, "Yes Barry?"

"Can you come over for a bit."

"Sure," she walked towards him.

He waved at the medical team to come forward, "Everyone, this is Caitlin."

Caitlin was caught off guard and turned from Barry to the group. "H-hi, I mean hello!"

"Hi Caitlin," some doctors greeted.

"Nice to meet you," said another group.

"Caitlin, these are the directors of all the medical departments in our hospital,"

"Wow, what a pleasure, I'm sure it's hard to get a hold of you all, let alone all of you together."

The group chuckled.

Cisco and Jax were looking on and hearing the pleasantries. Cisco was seeing it coming, Jax, however, was wondering how did the CEO of their hospital know the intern, and why did it seem that they were way too familiar with each other?

"Caitlin," Barry started, "is my wife," he said the latter as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

For the second time that morning Cisco snickered. Jax's jaw dropped. The doctors' eyes were about as big as saucers. And Caitlin...well Caitlin just gaped.

"We did hear you had gotten married sir," started one of the older doctors.

"So it was actually true," another doctor wondered aloud and felt someone stepped on his foot.

"Yes, it was true," Barry said with the tiniest smirk.

The collection of doctors fought hard to conceal their gasp. Dr. Barry Allen was known as a golem of a doctor, for his lack of emotion. For him to display even the tiniest bit of a positive emotion was unheard of. At least in his tenure as CEO.

"If everyone doesn't mind, I'll walk Caitlin out."

"No, no, by all means, go ahead sir."

Caitlin turned around with a pink hue to her cheeks, and Barry gently offered his arm towards her, which she slowly took.

"Very subtle," he vaguely heard Cisco say, but didn't respond.

As the couple walked away and the group of doctors took their separate ways, Cisco placed a comforting hand on Jax's disbelieving shoulder.

"Maybe next time Jaxter."

{-}

Barry and Caitlin didn't exchange a word as they walked the hallways. It wasn't until they were by the exit doors that she spoke.

"Barry, did you just do what I think you did?"

"What?" He said playing innocent.

The shock had worn off and she eyed him suspiciously, "Did you just tell everyone that we were married?"

He shrugged, "I told you, I have nothing to hide."

"But are you sure this is not going to affect you negatively?" She said with mild paranoia.

He placed his hands in his pants pockets and scoffed briefly, "No Caitlin, it's not like I'm going to lose my job because I got married." She really needed to cut back on those soap operas.

She punched him lightly on his shoulder, "I know, I'm just pulling your leg," then in true Caitlin fashion she smiled at him, "as long as it doesn't cause you issues down the line."

"Issues down the line?"

"Well yes, eventually you and I are going to divorce. Does a divorcée create havoc in your position?"

"I guess we won't know until we get there," he said with an uncaring shrug.

Ever the stone cold and level headed man, she thought to herself. "It was nice seeing you Barry."

He didn't want to agree, but the experience hadn't been entirely unpleasant. He just nodded instead. "What will you do now?"

"I have a few hours before my class," she thought briefly, "maybe do some studying?"

"How about we do lunch?"

Now it was Caitlin's turn to smirk, "What's this, workaholic Allen is actually going to take a break and eat like a normal human being?" She said scandalized.

He rolled his eyes, "I think I can manage."

"Lead the way then," Caitlin said as she extended her hand and bowed in mock reverence.

"Ladies first," he said in kind.

From a few floors above Cisco snapped a picture of the pair as they walked towards the parking lot. Caitlin was laughing about something, while Barry walked smoothly but with the corner of his mouth upturned.

The engineer smiled to himself, and hit send before turning to his old friend and colleague.

"Ok Jaxter, time to stop weeping and move on."

{-}

"Barry," she breathed out, "what do you think about coming with me to visit someone?"

No, that wouldn't work. He would probably brush her off and say how he had no responsibilities to her. He had been a bit nicer lately, but she didn't want to push her luck.

"Barry, what are your thoughts on visiting a partner hospital huh? Getting to know more about your future areas of responsibility?"

That was even worse. What was she? His business coach? Hardly. She would probably be terrible at it. She continued pacing around the living room, until her musings brought her to a sudden stop.

"Barry," she said with confidence, "I'd like to propose a wager."

"A wager on what?"

She heard from the door and almost had a heart attack.

"Barry! I lost five years of my life right now!"

He put his coat away, "Caitlin, I'm literally only a few feet away. How you did not see me here is beyond me."

She dropped on the couch. Barry had a point.

"So what are we betting? What's this wager you're talking about,"

"Oh you heard that," she said to herself.

He got a glass of water and seated himself on the opposite couch. "I'll humor you, go ahead,"

Caitlin hesitated, but pushed through, "Well, I was thinking that if I got straight A's this semester, you could join me on a little trip," she finished with bright eyes and a big uncomfortable grin.

The doctor waved his drink slightly, letting the sound of the ice crinkle in the air, "I don't see how I would benefit from this."

"Right, well. Look at it this way, you don't have to do anything, it's all on me," she pitched in quickly.

"I'm not one to take on deals I don't plan on winning."

She crossed her arms around her chest, "You didn't get to where you are without taking risks Barry."

He raised his glass in acknowledgment, "Touché."

"So what do you say?"

"Answer me this first."

"Go on."

"How are your grades looking now?"

"Most A's, with a borderline A on Biochem, and a low B on thermodynamics," she finished with distaste.

He nodded, he had a good chance of winning then. She'd been complaining about that thermodynamics class since the beginning of the semester.

"And what do I get out of this?"

"What do you want?" She asked with curiosity.

That was a good question. What could he possibly want from her? He looked at her with penetrating green eyes, but Caitlin didn't shy away from his gaze. Instead she looked at him with the same calculating eyes, trying to read him, understand, and predict what he would say.

"Ok let's do this."

"You're in?"

"Sure. If you get all A's this semester, I'll go with you on your trip," he held a finger up, "my only condition is no amusement parks."

"You afraid of rollercoasters, Allen?" She asked teasingly.

"You wish."

"Ok fine, no amusement parks. And if you win?"

"If I win," which most certainly would be the case.

She cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to speak.

"We'll just have to wait and see."

She looked at him square in the eye."Deal," she extended her hand to seal their agreement.

"Deal."

A bet? Ha! How childish.

What's worse was that he was becoming just as childish as her.

{x}