Part 10
Barry looked up when a nurse came into the room to do Caitlin's vitals. It was nearly two in the morning and Caitlin had finally drifted off to sleep a few minutes ago. The nurse gave him a sad smile.
"Her vitals are good. She will be released tomorrow." Said the nurse
"I know."
"She is lucky to have a boyfriend like you by her side."
"She's not my girlfriend. She is just my best friend."
"Hon, my best guy friend doesn't look at me like you do her. Not even my last boyfriend looked at me that way. You are in love with her."
The nurse left and Barry looked at Caitlin sleeping. Was everyone right? Had he fallen for Caitlin and not realized it? No way. He couldn't have fallen in love with Caitlin. Besides even if he had there was no way she felt the same way about him.
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Caitlin woke with a groan. It took her a minute to remember that she was in the hospital. She looked over and smiled a little at seeing her best friend. The one person she trusted more than anything sleeping in a hard uncomfortable hospital chair next to her. Barry had a little bit of drool by the side of his mouth. She remembered what had happened to land her in the hospital.
"Barry?" she called out softly
Barry stirred and smiled when he saw her awake.
"Hey how you feeling?" asked Barry
"Awful. But just knowing that you are here for me helps."
"Alex and Kara dropped off your car last night. Alex had your purse too. So when you are discharged I can take you home. I can call one of the girls or even my mom to come over and help you clean up."
"Always a gentleman. Barry, I am sorry about pulling away from your hug last night."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Cait, after what happened I understand that you don't want to be touched."
"I hate what he did to me. He took more from me than what he had no right to take. He stole my confidence and has made me afraid."
"I can't begin to understand what you are feeling. As part of my CSI classes I did have a class on dealing with victims, survivors of violent crime including sexual assault. But only someone who has been in your shoes can truly understand what you are feeling."
"Bare, I really don't want to talk about what he did to me."
"I know not to push. But if you change your mind, there is a support group at the community center my aunt and uncle work at."
"Right now I just want to go home."
"Well you might have to endure whatever is being passed off as breakfast first. Including the worlds second worst coffee."
"Second worst?"
"You never had what is passed off as coffee at CCPD. Why do you think you see so many cops at Jitters every day?"
"Well they sell donuts and you know what they say about cops and donuts."
"Are you trying to make a joke Dr. Snow?"
"No."
"Then are you implying that cops have unhealthy eating habits?"
"Well that one desk sergeant, uh Hanson I think could stand to eat more vegetables and less Big Belly Burger."
"I don't think that will ever happen."
Just then Caitlin's breakfast arrived. Barry pulled the lid off the plate and both made a face. On the plate was scrambled eggs, but both knew that they were not real eggs. They most likely came out of a box. Dry toast and a fruit cup that had strawberries, grapes and blueberries. Caitlin picked the cup of coffee to find that it was lukewarm at best. She added the one pack of sugar and nondairy creamer. She took a sip and made a grimace.
"That bad?" asked a voice from the door.
Both turned to see Henry Allen standing there with a drink tray of coffees from Jitters and a bag of bagels.
"That coffee is nearly as bad as the time someone made coffee at STAR labs without a flitter." Said Caitlin
"How about some real coffee then? I believe that Caitlin here likes a double shot mocha latte. I also got you an onion bagel with sour cream and chive cream cheese. So how about you just eat the only thing eatable on the tray with it. That fruit cup." Said Henry
"Thank you Dr. Allen." Said Caitlin
"Caitlin, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Henry?"
"Force of habit. My dad taught me to treat my elders with respect, and you are someone I have a lot of respect for."
"Still want you to call me Henry."
"I'll try."
"Do or do not there is no try." Said Barry
"Barry, how many times do I have to tell you not to quote Star Wars to me? I already know how big of a dork you are." Said Caitlin
"Iris would think that is from Star Trek or something."
"Yeah well if it hadn't been for us she would have failed her basic science classes in high school."
"Yeah I know." Said Barry
"Well the good news is you will be released before lunch Caitlin." Said Henry
"Good I just want to go home to my bed." Said Caitlin
"Well I got to get to work. Remember if you need anything Caitlin all you got to do is call." Said Henry
"Yeah I know. Thanks."
Two hours later Barry pulled Caitlin's car up to the door and got out to open the passenger side door for her. A nurse pushed Caitlin's wheelchair up to the car. Barry took the bag of belonging and placed it in the backseat. Once Caitlin was in the car he got into the driver's seat and headed for Caitlin's apartment. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. She just stared out the window. He knew that it was going to take time for his friend to open up again. He just hoped that Joe and Eddie got this guy before he got to him. Because he just might kill him.