Banners proudly proclaiming 'Puppy Party' covered Barry's entire street. Barry had planned and planned well; hiring caterers, a party organizer and valets to alleviate parking issues.

Balloons, ribbons and specially designed potted plants with dog themed decorations dotted his property. A large wooden wishing well had been set up in pride of place in his backyard - and many signs explaining donations for the humane society were being accepted had been placed for maximum effect.

Even though having a party to celebrate his dog having puppies was pretty indulgent, Barry didn't care what others might think of that indulgence. Because he was a popular actor and had a good fan base, he was able to bring attention to various charities. And a charity drive for animals - that was important to the actor. He'd had dogs as pets since childhood and wanting to give to a greater good had never left him.

Barry smiled and greeted another guest. "Hey! Nice to see you again!"

"Fabulous party and fab charity." The woman winked and moved closer, trying to rest her hands on Barry's chest, only to be denied as he thrust a drink into her hands. "I love animals!"

"Slick fur coat, Esmeralda." Barry rejoined, his smile's wattage dimming. "Faux fur?"

"It was a gift I couldn't refuse, you know how that goes, right?" Esmeralda simpered - that was the only was to describe her sycophantic actions. "Not taking it doesn't bring back the snow leopards to life."

"No. It doesn't." Barry spoke flatly. "Ooh, I gotta spread myself around. Remember, every donation is a write off on your taxes." He turned and almost sprinted away, leaving poor clueless Esmeralda pouting.

"Slow down!" Iris snagged Barry's arm. "You trying out for world's fastest man?"

"Sorry, I've got time for you." Barry smiled sweetly. "Your outfit shows a lot of thought about tonight's charity."

Iris pivoted and preened, showing off her animal-free, cruelty-free clothing. "I saw a woman wearing a fur coat earlier!"

"Some people, huh?"

"Maybe we can help inform them, yeah?" Iris confided to Barry, "People in general want to do good. Lots of times they're too conditioned by other factors and used to going with the flow. We just need to guide them without giving them shit over it."

Barry laughed and held out his hand. "I couldn't have said that better myself. Wanna go check on Pokey and the other puppies with me?"

"I'd be honoured." Iris placed her hand in his and gently nudged his shoulder as they began to walk together. "Have you been able to talk to the director about pairing all the characters except for Julian's?"

"Oh, let me fill you in on that!"

Caitlin shrugged instead of sighing like she wanted. "Thanks Ms. McGee, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now."

"Don't be thick girl!" Tina tossed her hair and mercifully lowered her voice. "Greg Standish is more than a relationship. He's a bona fide statement!"

"I'm confused, why you want to introduce us?" Caitlin kept a toothy smile on her face even though she felt more like making a run for freedom.

"I don't need something prosaic as a reason." Tina raised her arm and called loudly, "Greg! The lovely woman I told you about is over here!"

A barrel-chested and orange tanned man strutted towards Tina and Caitlin. He grabbed Caitlin's hand and gave it a noisy kiss. "Enchante!"

As sly as she could, Caitlin wiped her hand free of slobber. "Hi. Tina's been telling me about you."

"My story is best heard from me. Let's sit and converse." Greg tried to swing an arm around Caitlin's shoulder - denied by her quick footwork. He played off his movements with a laugh. "I feel like I could talk to you all night."

"Sorry, there's been a misunderstanding." Caitlin stepped back and shook her head. "I'm not in the market for a partner or any kind of relationship."

"Relationship? I don't do relationships." Greg shuddered and did his own rapid backing away. "Honey, I'm too valuable to tie myself down like that."

"Well, I don't not." Caitlin waved and whispered to Greg's back, "Bye Felicia."

"Good decision on your part, Greg is much too much work." Tina surreptitiously scratched off a name on the small pad of paper she carried. "But George is a helluva party animal!"

"I'll take your word for it," said Caitlin with a sigh. "I've got to meet up with Iris for the surprise we planned."

"Oh, well…" Tina made a special thin-lipped smile. "You'd best get going. I'll send you George's number and you can get together with him later."

Cisco walked up to Tina once Caitlin scuttled away and handed his director a flute of champagne. "Stage one, complete."

Her smile more evil than ever, Tina nodded and took a sip of her drink. "Let's go find that delicious Harrison Wells."

"Yeah, let's go find Harry."

"Commit dear Cisco. He's delicious, you should admit it." Tina raised her drink, clinking it against Cisco's.

"Fine, let's go find the delicious Harrison Wells."

"I knew you wanted some, thanks for confirming." Tina smirked. "Seriously, you're too easy."

Harry walked with his daughter and introduced her to all those he deemed safe - or at least those he knew he could intimidate. Cisco made the list, as did Barry. Julian earned an introduction; if only because of his personality - no chance there.

Trying to scope out Caitlin's whereabouts casually, Harry kept his head turning side to side.

"Dad." Jesse punched Harry in the upper arm, smiling as he rubbed it and gave her the glare of death. "Finally, your full attention. I know who you're looking for." She glanced at the time on her phone. "Can you wait half an hour? Iris and Caitlin have a surprise for the party, you'll see her then. Until then, don't you know any young men you could introduce me to?"

"No."

Jesse laughed. "Thought you'd say that, which is why I'm cutting you loose." She waved and disappeared into the crowd, ignoring her father's pleas and curses with equanimity.

"Ah, I see you're lacking female companionship." Tina McGee smiled and if it was toothier than a shark's mouth, no one in their right mind who had to work with her would point that out. "Fabulous! Esmeralda! Darling girl!" Tina snapped her fingers and a bleached blonde wearing vanity fur and a brightly coloured romper rushed over.

"Hi!" Esmeralda thrust out her hand and shook Harry's. "Delighted to meet another animal lover!"

"Uh huh." Harry met Tina's gaze with veiled amusement, giving her a subtle nod before facing Esmeralda. "Have you donated yet?"

"I didn't bring any cheques." She shrugged and fluttered her eyelashes. "I did invite some reporters though, so they could cover this wonderful charitable opportunity."

"I'm so underwhelmed."

Esmeralda perked up like Harry had complimented her. "Don't worry about being too old for me, I like well-seasoned men." She tossed her hair and thrust out her chest a bit more. "I'm free tomorrow."

More than a little off-put by the aggressive woman's exaggerated wink, Harry shook his head. "Ooh, no can do. I'm all out of money until next month. Unless you'd care to treat?"

As expected, Esmeralda turned off her charm and didn't even bother to talk further to Harry, instead addressing Tina. "I don't have time for this. Call me when you've got a bigger fish, yeah?"

The blonde gave Harry the stink-eye and strutted away.

"That was unexpected." Tina slowly opened her notebook and slashed an entry, all the while meeting Harry's eyes. "I do happen to know scads more eligible people, most of them women if you're available."

"I do fine for myself, thanks but no thanks."

"It's so charming to find a man who isn't butt-hurt by the suggestion they might welcome the same sex as a romantic partner." Tina emptied her drink in a single swallow. "No judgments here, if you change your mind you can call any of these numbers." She ripped out a page from her notepad and tucked it into Harry's hand. "You so seem like you could use some fun."

"I appreciate the concern, but like I said, no thanks." Harry crumpled the paper and shoved it into his pocket and nodded to Tina. "See you on the set, I'm late to meet up with Caitlin."

"Oh, I matched her with Greg and George. Neither of them are on your list, but Cody, he's near the bottom,-" Tina giggled, "-he's a match for both of you." Tina checked the time on her watch. "George should be with the dear girl now."

"Will you excuse me?"

"Certainly!" Tina waved merrily at Harry's back. "Cisco!"

"Coming!" Cisco, holding a full bottle of champagne came at his director's call. "Do we celebrate now?"

"Well, we certainly drink." Tina held out her glass. "We'll know soon if we get to celebrate."

"And then what?"

Tina winked. "Dear boy, I'll let you know once we kill this bottle."

"I never knew a Husky and a Lab could make such cute puppies!" Iris gushed, "I've seen your pics and knew they were cute, but seeing them in real life honestly brings it to a new level of adorable!"

"It's the sounds of cuteness that they make too." Barry opened the giant doggy playpen and ushered Iris in ahead of him. "I always smile seeing them and I'd love to have them at the party, but they're a bit young for that kind of attention."

Iris leaned down to pat Tasha who was basking in the attention. "Well, it just shows how great you are to bring other adoptable dogs into the limelight. Who's a good girl? It's you, Tasha!"

Barry picked up Pokey and hugged him, watching Iris as she gave attention as best she could to the rest of the puppies and their mother at the same time. He smiled as she giggled and floundered about with the dogs. "You're not too shabby yourself either."

"Are you comparing me to your dog?" Iris looked up at Barry and gave him a mock glare. "Oof. You're gonna be single for a long time if that's what you're like with the ladies."

"Hey! I didn't mean it badly. Does that help?" Barry set Pokey down and helped Iris stand, not letting go of her hands even once she was upright. "You're really nice and I guess that makes me a little flustered."

"Wow, you're getting more smooth by the second," said Iris. "I'll give you a pass this time. Shouldn't we be getting back to the party?"

"Yeah. I'm the host with the most, I gotta show up and be seen."

"You sure are." Iris tapped Barry on the cheek and dropped a fast kiss on his other cheek. "Now, did you want to hear about the surprise I've organized with Caitlin?"

Harry moved through the throngs of happy party-goers with one thought keeping him pushing forward. The thought that he should see if Caitlin needed his help with the unknown George, and should the occasion arise, he could scare him off. Or knock him the fuck out. Of course, only should Caitlin want him to do so, he'd observe and then react. He didn't even know this George and he wanted to punch him. Caitlin might turn out to like this guy - and now Harry was sure he was scowling from the strange looks he was getting.

Deep breath in, slowly let it out. In. Out. In. Ah! Harry spied Caitlin and she was talking to a man who was good looking and close in age. Consciously forcing his hands to unclench, Harry slowed his approach and began to saunter closer.

"You sure you ain't never done any blue movies?"

Caitlin shook her head and hoped her inner disgust was not visible. "I'm sure I'd remember if I had."

"You look pretty good for your age, you still could."

Caitlin caught sight of Harry. All at once she realized she didn't need to act like George's comments weren't pissing her off. Harry valued her as a person, and why shouldn't she hold every other guy to the same standards? Hell yeah. She dropped her 'out in public' smile. "How I look is none of your business and there's no way in hell I'd ever want to star in an adult film. Matter of fact, I don't appreciate any of your comments in that regards."

"Sheesh! Why're you so touchy? You need to get laid, yeah?" George licked his thick lips and smirked. "My roommate is outta town right now, you're in luck."

"Caitlin, just say the word." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "Whatever you need, I can hold him and you can punch - or the other way round, I'm flexible."

"Oooh! Was that the movie I was thinkin' of? Flexible Felicia?" George pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. "That girl sure could bend." He dragged deep on his cancer stick and blew his obnoxious smoke towards Harry. "But way more stacked than Caitlin, you know what I'm sayin' dude?"

Harry turned from George and looked only at Caitlin. "I don't want to assume anything, but would you like to leave this …person?" He offered his hand and waited.

Caitlin placed her hand in Harry's, ignoring George as best she could. "Yes. I find I'm needing a bit of fresh air. Let's get out of here."

"Tina can give you my number but don't wait too long 'cause I'm sure to get lucky." George raised his voice. "Unless you wanna be the second piece of bread in the George meat sandwich?"

Caitlin shuddered and walked away faster. Harry looked over his shoulder and delivered his most icy glare. George looked unconcerned and waved happily like a cretin.

Out of earshot and now lost from George's sight - and even better, secluded from the other party-goers, Caitlin stopped walking and slumped against a tree. "Ugh. This party hasn't been very fun for me yet." She worked up a grin. "Enough of me complaining, how're you?"

"I can't imagine a world where anyone would consider what you've just said was 'enough complaining.' That guy was horrific and that's the nicest thing I'm gonna say about him." Harry crossed his arms and frowned. "You can tell me anything."

"What's to say? Creepy guys are creepy and there's nothing a person can do about that sort of thing." Caitlin shrugged. "It is what it is. A single young woman is going to kiss a lot of frogs before the magic happens and turns one of those frogs into a prince."

"Deep." Harry relaxed and uncrossed his arms, shoving his hands into his pockets - to keep his urge to touch Caitlin under control. "Somehow I think George didn't even meet the bare minimum to score one of your kisses."

"Yeah. And our kissing scene burned through over a dozen kisses - enough to turn you into a king, not just a prince," Caitlin joked.

"But did those really count?" Harry leaned a little closer. "That was work - still good kisses mind you - but there's something to be said for a first kiss between two people who are attracted to each other. The anticipation." Harry let his eyes linger over Caitlin's lips. "The opportunity presents itself like a gift and if they read the situation right…"

Caitlin gulped and picked up where Harry left off. "The mood is set and there's something in the air..."

They drew closer.

"A spark?"