Harry set down his drink and padded over to the door, opening it before Jesse could. "Not quick enough Jesse Quick," he delivered in a deadpan voice, "Haven't you had enough partying?"

Jesse quelled her friends with a single glare - all except Julian who laughed out loud. "Guys!" she barked and gave them a vigorous head shake.

Shari elbowed Julian, only then did he manage to stifle himself. Earl leaned on Priscilla and the last of the group, Lynne, who was holding a bag of bottles started fidgeting. "Hiya, Mr. Wells!"

"Good evening, Lynne." Harry rubbed his forehead and gestured Jesse and her posse inside. "I don't want the neighbours horning in on our after-party either." Julian tried to slink past undetected. Harry tapped him on the shoulder. "Aren't you a little old to be hanging with my daughter and her friends?"

"Dad, I wouldn't let him say no." Jesse crossed her arms. "And you always taught me to be friendly."

Julian cleared his throat and said in his best mollifying tone, "I assure you it was never my intention -"

"Calm down, Julian. Just messing with you." Harry said and once Jesse had started moving away, he smiled with grim intent. "Or am I?"

Caitlin interjected, "Should I should go home?"

"You can't go!" Jesse ran up to Caitlin. "We're about to order pizza!"

"You heard her." Harry shrugged. "Pizza. Now Lynne, what did you bring to share?" Harry grinned at Caitlin. "You can't go and leave me. We're gonna eat pizza, drink and have an after-party!"

On set Monday, Caitlin reported to the main script reading room and sat next to Iris. Harry was already there and so was Julian. She fidgeted and made small talk with her friends until the rest of the main cast arrived. Tina sailed into the room, snapped her fingers and accepted the cup Cisco held out to her.

Tina took a long, savoring sip, watching Cisco over the rim of her coffee and then put it down. She sat and Cisco slid into his own seat, watching his boss for any sudden mood swings.

"Darlings, I've got excellent and then even more thrilling news!" Tina leaned to her left and flicked Cisco's bicep. "What are you waiting for? Hand out the changes."

"Permission," Cisco mumbled under his breath. He stood and began to distribute altered scripts to everyone.

Regally Tina ignored her subordinate's smart mouth. She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "Most major scenes will remain unaltered. But there are a few smaller and insert-able moments we've had our writers pen. Everything changed is to bring this story to a more satisfying conclusion for our audience."

Julian flipped rapidly through the scant amount of pages he'd been handed. "I don't want to go against your thrilling alterations, but I can't see what's all that different from what I had before with what you've handed me."

"Keep in mind we're far along with filming. We aren't pursuing massive changes in the interest of not overspending on budget." Tina lifted the leather-bound script bible from pride of place in front of herself, flipping to her copy of Julian's altered scenes. She licked a finger and turned one more page, running that finger over the lines and then stopping. She gave Julian a chilly smile. "If you like, we could add to the comedic scenes you're in. We had decided against the tar and feathers but I can get Cisco to make some calls to find bulk pricing…"

"On second thought, this is good." Julian forced a thin-lipped smile.

"I'm willing to compromise." Tina threatened Julian. "There's an excellent opportunity to add to the big ending scene where Caitlin's character pours her heart out."

"Sounds good?" Julian turned pages and began to read what had previously been his big romantic scene with 'Danielle.' "I'm in the scene but this is not anything close to what my lines had been."

"We can add more blood-shed or humor. We can't do both."

Cisco shot Julian a meaningful look. "This is better than before, trust me."

Tina let her binder thud onto the table. "We'll do a quick run-through of the changes and break for lunch. After lunch, we'll get right back into the thick of shooting." A chorus of agreement greeted her ears and Tina nodded. "Excellent."

Iris ran up to Caitlin and couldn't stop her big grin. "So! How much fun did you have with Harry after the puppy party?"

"Well, I don't want to brag…" Caitlin sighed, "because I can't. We got cock-blocked. In hind-sight, we ought to have gone to my house."

"Were you going to get some action or are you playing?" Iris lifted the copy of her changed scenes. "I have the feeling you be lying. How 'bout we talk script changes?"

"Yeah. You got me." Caitlin shrugged. "I don't know what might have happened if we'd had privacy but at least the script changes are good news."

"Right?" Iris wriggled like one of Barry's puppies. "It's better and more than I could have hoped for! My scenes have changed so that I get to kiss Barry on screen!"

"Wow." Caitlin was able to smile gently at her friend. "That's an upgrade - as long as you get to keep making progress."

"Oh," Iris smirked. "I plan on it. To make a lot of progress. I had a little chat with Tina to make sure."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"And why not?" Iris was perfectly poised - full of confidence and to Caitlin - a touch of hubris. "Barry is single, I'm single. I'm prepared to fuel my scenes with him with a hell of a lot of heat."

"O-kay…" Caitlin let out her breath. "You're prepared to throw yourself pretty hard."

"It's not really throwing when you're sure the man in question is interested." Iris blinked slowly and smiled. "It's more like having a net you're sure will catch what you're tossin'."

"Ugh."

"We can't all be poets ya know." Iris clasped her changed script tightly to her chest. "Some people do with being human."

"Nice. Way to make me feel terrible." Caitlin lowered her pride to wink and then waggle her tongue at Iris. "You've got some nerve."

"Don't complain about me when you're too chicken-shit to do what you want."

"Us chickens are always scared!"

Iris hooted with laughter. "And that's the truth in a nutshell! You'd be happier if you'd grow some balls."

"I won't dignify that with a response."

"Caitlin, you can lie to me, lie to yourself, but what do you gain? Nothing."

"Iris." Caitlin glared at her friend. "Are you seriously trying to tell me to give Harry a full-gang press?"

"Oh my. Yes. That's it exactly." Iris slow clapped and nodded at Caitlin. "Show him you're for real interested. Beyond any goddamn doubts."

"Oh yeah, I should jump onto his lap and start grinding on him, right?"

"Whatever works, lady." Iris gave Caitlin a very mocking salute. "Grind on him until he has no choice but to accept your interest."

"And I should rip his shirt open while I'm at it?"

"Sounds good."

"Iris. I don't think you're taking me seriously!"

"Caitlin. I don't think you're taking Harry seriously!"

"Iris." Caitlin sighed loudly and rubbed her forehead. "I have never felt so serious about anything."

"So why are you here again Barry?" Harry rubbed his forehead and tried to smile kindly at his co-worker. "I remember the last script meeting. It was short and to the point. Tina wants to make more romantic pairings to push the public into wanting to watch the movie."

"Harry." Barry nodded and bit back all the ridiculous comments he wanted to make. "You do realize you're one half of a potentially supernova pairing?"

"You mean my character, Tom Cavanagh?"

"Duh!" Barry rolled his eyes and slapped his forehead in comedic relief. "Tina's decided to give your character the green light to romance Caitlin - or should I say, Danielle?"

"That's her prerogative." Harry shrugged. "I refuse to second guess the official directive of any movie I'm in."

"Pussy." Barry met Harry's gaze with one of disdain. "If you weren't such a coward you'd know that Caitlin burns for you just as much as you do for her."

Harry knew he was staring dumbly at Barry - but was unable to change. "Don't be stupid. I'm way too old for her."

"You're the stupid one - she's given you every sign she's into you - and what have you done?" Barry blinked slowly as he shrugged. "She's so into you dude - and what are you gonna do about it?"

"I'm gonna keep respecting her." Harry bit his lip and didn't hide his confusion. "Caitlin is much too talented and wonderful for me to want to ever treat her with less than respect."

"Okay. You're not a dude-bro." Barry raised one hand for Harry to high-five. "You're worthy of full partnership with Caitlin."

Harry took a small half-step backward. "Isn't that her decision?"

"Dude, yeah!" Barry pumped one arm up in celebration. "She's made that choice and finally you've heard her!"

The set was staged for the big romantic scene between 'Danielle' and 'Tom' - the lab their characters shared was lit with candles courtesy of the story-line; the power had been cut during a big storm. Two laptops were open and glowing, just waiting for them to continue working on a solution for the main storyline. The area could have felt oppressive and daunting but the candles were vanilla-scented and actually invigorating.

Tina fiddled with the top button of her prim-and-proper dress shirt. "Caitlin, I want you to move closer to Harry every other sentence." She grinned and turned to Harry, reaching out and patted the man's shoulder. "You, I need to you back up and play the damsel in distress. Your character is afraid to reciprocate your lab partner's feelings and for the first half you must play like you're politely overlooking the subtext of her words."

Caitlin chanced a sidelong glance at Harry. Fuck. He was nodding intently. Was this all just work to him? Not a single goddamned nerve on display? Oh. He was tapping his feet. Oh, yes, Harry was a little perturbed.

"But once 'Danielle' says, 'Give me your honest opinion' - you've got to flip your switch and stop retreating. Savvy?"

"Of course, Tina. Good notes on this, as always." Harry nodded and playfully elbowed Caitlin. "Let's do this in one take, yeah?"

"As many kisses as it takes Harry, I'm good to go." Caitlin made sure to force an easy, mild smile. "It's not a hardship to kiss someone as professional as you."

"Excellent!" Tina clapped her hands, head-turning to swivel from each of her two actors. "Don't mind everyone watching now, eh?" She walked to her chair and plopped herself down, jerking her chin at Cisco to man the clapboard. "Ready?"

Caitlin wiped her palms clean and then trotted through the lab doorway, stopping in front of her laptop, reaching out to flick Harry's bicep - no - this was a take, and it was Tom. Her voice came out light and teasing. "You seem to know what you're doing!"

"Ow! Don't be so rough!"

"That was nothing." Danielle turned her back on the laptop and tilted her head to the side. "Afraid of a little contact?"

"Not afraid, just surprised." Tom tapped a few more keys and showed his lap partner the changes to the formula he'd made. "See what happens when the negative ions are removed?"

"I'm more interested in what happens when the negatives are changed into positives." Caitlin made sure to lick her lips as she sidled closer. "Like what happens when you say yes instead of no."

"I don't follow your logic, the parameters of the problem can't be altered."

"Logic be damned at times like these - we're in crisis mode. The world as we know it could end. Aren't you gonna make a move?"

"Moving with the issue is important, I'll grant you that…" Harry took another step back and rubbed between his eyes. "We've got to keep searching for an answer. Just like you say, or else our whole world is forfeit."

"Can you stop trying to save the world for one minute?" Caitlin was inspired to grip Harry's lab coat lapels and yank his head down as she delivered her next line. "Take me and what happened between us seriously!"

"You can't mean that…" Harry let his gaze wander over Caitlin's hands, up her arms and center on her bewitching red lips. "I'd be the worst sort of cad to take advantage of your momentary weakness."

"Oh my god! Save me from well-meaning men! It's never been a momentary weakness! You're a freaking awesome person! All the damn time!"

"You'll feel more yourself once this crisis is over." Harry put his hands over Caitlin's and began to gently detach her grip. "When the world is safe you'll regret -"

Caitlin pushed against Harry. "Give me your honest opinion. Are you interested in me?"

"I'm not a block of wood, yes. You're smart, beautiful, and have contributed more than any two other scientists I can think of off the top of my head to our field of interest." Harry leaned in, closing his eyes briefly and inhaling a calming breath. "You're impressive."

"Impressive." Caitlin let her true displeasure turn her words flat and dispassionate. "Such high praise and yet disappointing."

Harry's blue eyes lit with a passionate glow. "I admire you too much to want to ruin our working relationship."

"It's not working." Caitlin shook her head and wrenched her hands free, jamming them into the depths of her lab coat, hunching her shoulders, her head drooping and facing away from Harry. "I'm pretty sure I've torpedoed it beyond salvage."

"Danielle, look at me."

"Don't wanna." Caitlin tucked her chin into her chest.

"Look at me." Harry reached over and closed Danielle's laptop and then his own. "Work can wait. Look at me."

Slow and careful, Caitlin turned around, her hands still in her lab coat. "I see you."

"Do you?" Amusement lit his voice. "I'm afraid you only see my surface."

"What do you mean?" Caitlin tilted her head back and looked up at the beguiling pools of blue Harry used as eyes. "It's not like you've been pretending to be someone or something else."

"Not exactly." He wet his lips.

Caitlin blinked slowly, envy a strong emotion as she watched his tongue work. "Tell me what you mean."

"We're scientists, I propose an experiment," Harry smirked, moving closer and with intent. "May I?"

"I insist."

Harry tucked a wisp of Caitlin's hair behind her ear, inching his face closer and closer to hers. "Last chance to steer away."

"Do I look like I want to steer away?" Caitlin delivered her line with brilliant disdain. "See me wanting to run?"

In perfect harmony they clasped each other, mouths meeting in a lingering kiss, eyes fluttering shut and at the height of the lip-lock, the lab lights sprang into full glare, flickered again and died again.

Iris handed Caitlin a giant tumbler of whiskey. "Congrats."

"Congrats? On flubbing ten takes of the romantic lab kiss with Harry?" She downed a massive gulp of the drink and slammed it down so she could hide her face in her hands. "Ten takes where after our kiss I answered 'Tom' by calling him Harry? I want to die."

"Get it right! You only ruined two takes by calling him Harry." Iris grinned and lifted her own drink in salute. "Three times you forgot to say anything, one time you giggled before saying the correct line. And Harry ruined the other takes, didn't he?" Iris nodded decisively. "Yeah, he did! But there were at least ten good run-throughs. Tina was just being Tina, getting extra takes in the can."

"You think so?" Caitlin stared into her drink and then met Iris' eyes with hope. "I wasn't so sure at the end if I was messing up on purpose just so I could keep kissing Harry."

"As if any red-blooded woman would blame you over something like that!"

"Harry is a truly gifted kisser." Caitlin giggled and took another drink. "I've never been tempted to say this about anyone I've kissed before, but Harry's kisses are legit panty-melting kisses."

"Don't hold back! Tell me what you really think!" Barry gave Harry an encouraging smile. "How'd the extra scene go?"

"Fine." Harry was noncommittal. "I blame my nerves for all the extra takes." He bobbed his head forward, turning to watch Barry grin gleefully. "What's that look for?"

"Just thinking about something Iris told me. You know her and Caitlin are almost as good friends as you are with Caitlin, yeah?" Barry flipped on his turn signal and then frowned. "Am I going the right way?"

Snapping back to the business at hand Harry gave Barry the rest of the directions to his home and then tried to deflect attention away from the scene he'd just filmed. "What about the upcoming scene where our intrepid reporter runs into you?"

Only too happy to talk about his own romantic scenes, Barry kept up his end of the conversation with the most minimal of efforts from Harry - all the rest of the way to Harry's house. "Don't be a chicken and call Caitlin tonight."

Harry stopped mid-motion as he released his seatbelt. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me, dude. You gotta talk to Caitlin tonight." Barry smirked as he kept his foot on the brake and put his vehicle in reverse. "Talk or forever lose traction."

"Traction?"

"Dude, don't make me spell it out any plainer." Taking pity on the older man, Barry added his own special advice. "Try spending more time with her and let yourself enjoy her company."

"I already do! I'm her friend!"

Barry waited for his companion to step out and slam the car door. "Harry, show her you're interested."

"…" Unable or perhaps unwilling to respond, Harry frowned.

"And people say I'm dense." Barry rolled his eyes. "I know I'm stealing lines, but don't worry about ruining your working relationship." He watched the play of emotions on Harry's face and jammed on the gas pedal, making gravel spurt under his car tires, laughing. Tomorrow was another day and if Harry took his advice and was successful, then he'd be in for a reward instead of threats.